Moord op Floris V, 1296 1662 - 1664

This is an anonymous engraving, titled "Moord op Floris V, 1296," with a height of 117 mm and a width of 155 mm. The composition unfolds as a series of spatial layers, moving from foreground to background, each meticulously detailed with hatched lines. The foreground presents the immediate violence of Floris V's murder, capturing dynamic movement as figures are arranged in diagonal lines. To the left, horses and armed men surround a central figure. The middle ground transitions into a serene landscape with a body of water, and on the right more armed men are on horseback, moving away from the left scene. The background offers a distant view of a town with distinct architectural structures. The interplay between these spaces creates a narrative tension. The violence of the foreground is contrasted with the calmness of the landscape. This juxtaposition challenges fixed interpretations, inviting us to reflect on the broader implications of power, betrayal, and historical narrative. The formal arrangement serves as a semiotic structure, where each element contributes to a complex, multi-layered understanding of the event.