Discovery of the Criminal Soldiers, plate nine from The Large Miseries of War

Gerrit Lucasz van Schagen created this print titled, "Discovery of the Criminal Soldiers," using etching. The soldiers, marching with weapons, are under scrutiny, and it's the tree that draws our attention, a potent symbol of justice and divine retribution. Hanging from its branches, we see a figure—likely a soldier—suspended. This motif of hanging recalls the stories of those who transgressed divine or societal laws throughout history. The image evokes the Haman's hanging in the Book of Esther, a scene of poetic justice. In both instances, the tree becomes a grim emblem of retribution, a visual embodiment of karmic justice where the wicked meet their deserved end. This image engages our deepest subconscious—a reminder of the repercussions that follow moral transgressions. The tree's presence speaks to a collective memory, reminding us that certain actions inevitably lead to punishment. Thus, it transcends its immediate context, becoming a symbol of universal justice.