D'Alton achterna gezeten door galgen 1787 - 1790

This undated print at the Rijksmuseum, by an anonymous artist, presents us with a visually striking scene rendered with stark lines. The composition is immediately arresting: a figure, presumably D'Alton, is depicted in mid-run, chased by gallows and a menacing lion. The artist employs sharp, unwavering lines to create a sense of urgency and instability, evoking the fear and chaos of political turmoil. The gallows loom overhead, their angular forms creating a jarring contrast with the rounded figures in the background. This opposition of shapes suggests a world turned upside down, where symbols of justice become instruments of terror. The overall structure destabilizes any clear distinction between order and disorder. The use of a semiotic system here invites us to interpret the visual components: D’Alton, the gallows, and the lion, as cultural signs that go beyond their literal representation. This piece challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to question power and its representations.