Burgers van Dordrecht dwingen Cornelis de Witt het Eeuwig Edict in te trekken, 1672 1789

Jacobus Buys created this drawing using pen and brown ink, with a grey wash. Buys, born in Amsterdam in 1724, was a well-known painter and printmaker, and frequently worked as a book illustrator. The drawing depicts a dramatic historical moment: the citizens of Dordrecht forcing the severely ill Cornelis de Witt to sign the repeal of the Perpetual Edict in 1672. The grey wash gives the scene a somber, almost ghostly quality, while the brown ink defines the characters and architectural details, from the figures' clothing to the ornate bed frame. The drawing, with its precise lines and tonal washes, embodies the labour-intensive process of traditional illustration. Buys's expertise shines in his ability to convey depth, emotion, and social tension through such traditional materials. By highlighting the importance of technique, material, and historical context, we can appreciate how even a simple drawing captures complex socio-political narratives.