Soldaten hakken duimen en grote tenen van Adonibezek af 1720 - 1728

François van Bleyswijck created this engraving titled "Soldaten hakken duimen en grote tenen van Adonibezek af" – or “Soldiers cutting off the thumbs and great toes of Adonibezek” - sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. The scene is dominated by a brutal act, meticulously rendered in stark black and white. Van Bleyswijck uses precise lines to depict the soldiers and their victim, emphasizing the tension and horror of the moment. The composition is carefully structured, drawing the eye to the center where the act of dismemberment takes place. The surrounding figures and the detailed landscape add depth and context to the scene, creating a narrative tableau. The print is not just a representation of physical violence, but also an exploration of power and morality. Van Bleyswijck challenges viewers to confront the consequences of conflict. Through formal elements, the engraving creates a semiotic system of symbols and codes, inviting ongoing interpretation and reflection on the darker aspects of human history.