Moedig antwoord van hopman Johan van den Kornput, de verdediger van Steenwijk, 1580 1786 - 1788

Jacobus Buys created this drawing of the Brave Reply of Captain Johan van den Kornput around 1780 using pen and gray ink, accentuating the drama with a monochrome palette. The composition is structured by the stark contrast between light and shadow, enhancing the emotional intensity of the scene. The arrangement of figures is carefully constructed, with Kornput and his adversary positioned centrally, creating tension. The use of line—crisp in the foreground and fading into the background—draws the eye to the central conflict, while the architectural backdrop provides a rigid framework that heightens the human drama. Buys uses a semiotic language of gestures and expressions to convey the moment's significance. The defender's firm stance and the challenger's aggressive posture signify a clash of wills, underscoring themes of resistance and courage. The drawing not only captures a historical event but also invites us to consider the broader implications of defiance against oppression.