Zinneprent op de tirannie van Alva (incompleet), 1618 1618

This etching, made by an anonymous artist in 1618, depicts the tyranny of Alva. The composition unfolds with a stark contrast between the foreground and background, creating a layered narrative. In the foreground, we see a table where figures are counting money, contrasted against the backdrop of a bustling town square filled with marching figures. The artist employs line and texture to create depth, using dense cross-hatching to darken areas, drawing our eye to the central figures, and using hatching to give shape to the forms. The rigid lines of the architecture contrast with the softer, curved lines of the figures' clothing, adding a dynamic tension. The way the artist juxtaposes these elements invites us to consider the complex interplay between power, wealth, and public life during this historical period. It's a powerful visual statement on the nature of tyranny.