Michel l'Hopital vertelt Hendrik van Navarra over de moord op Coligny 1790

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print depicting Michel l'Hopital informing Hendrik van Navarra about the assassination of Coligny. This piece reflects the tumultuous period of the French Wars of Religion, a time marked by deep sectarian divides and political intrigue. Chodowiecki, working in the late 18th century, looked back to this fraught history, engaging with themes of power, betrayal, and religious conflict. The image captures a moment heavy with consequence, embodying the tension between personal morality and political necessity. The artist presents us with a stark scene: the grave messenger delivering news of a brutal act, while Hendrik, heir to the throne, appears shocked and dismayed. Chodowiecki uses this intimate exchange to explore the broader implications of violence, implicating viewers in the emotional and ethical complexities of the narrative. Ultimately, the artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of ideological warfare, and the enduring legacy of such conflicts on individual lives and societal structures.