Afscheid van Jean Calas in de gevangenis 1767

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print titled, "Farewell of Jean Calas in Prison," in the late eighteenth century. It shows the final moments of Jean Calas, a protestant man wrongly convicted of murdering his son, before his execution. The image is a window into the social and political tensions of 18th-century France, particularly the religious intolerance against Protestants. Chodowiecki's print serves as a powerful critique of the legal and judicial systems of his time. The strong lines and dramatic composition aim to evoke an emotional response, inviting viewers to sympathize with Calas and question the justice of his fate. The references to religion and family underscore the personal tragedy within a broader context of religious persecution. Art historians consult legal documents, pamphlets, and other visual representations of the Calas affair to fully understand the print's historical and social context. This reminds us that art's meaning is always shaped by social, cultural, and institutional forces.