Jan Luyken: The execution of Anneken Hendriks (1685)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by the Dutch artist Jan Luyken (1649-1712). This print is a part of a book called "Martelaers spiegel der doops-gesinde of weereloose christenen" (= 'The martyrs mirror of anabaptists or defenseless Christians"). Anabaptism is a Christian movement which started in the early 16th century. Although largely peaceful there were also several radical anabaptist groups in the 16th century who tried to take over several cities (the most successful attempt was the Munster rebellion of 1534). As a result they were heavily persecuted by various countries (catholic and protestant). This print shows the execution of a Dutch female anabaptist. Anneken Hendriks came from the Dutch province of Friesland who was identified as an anabaptist in Amsterdam in October 1571. She was marked as a heretic and sentenced to death: het mouth was filled with gunpowder and, tied to a ladder, she was thrown on a bed of glowing coals. The execution was done on the Dam square of Amsterdam and the old medieval town hall of Amsterdam can be seen in the background of the print. Engraving from 1685.