Death on display

Abstract Isabel Casteels examines the response of contemporary viewers – both intended and actual to Frans Hogenberg’s execution prints dating from first decades Dutch Revolt. Hogenberg characterised these executions, like those counts Egmond Horn in Brussels 1566, as religious ceremonies, thus implicitly criticising them. The highlight public, ritual, indeed purely theatrical elements events, which, perspective Catholic Church secular authorities, may have legitimised them, but for Protestants supporters Revolt generally did exactly opposite that is, de-legitimised exposed them what they really were: cruel bloodshed. Eyewitness accounts confirm this, prosecution printers who issued copies prints. depiction audience many made their aware role judicial rituals.