Topic: 3. Sacrifice and politics (16th-18th Century)
During the transformative period of the 16th to 18th centuries, the notion of the State evolved into a nearly mystical entity, perceived as immortal and worthy of the ultimate sacrifice. This section delves into the complex interplay between sovereignty, resistance, and sacrifice, a theme explored by early proponents of political tolerance. It also examines revolutionary acts and regicide, viewed through the lens of sacrificial rites. This section includes early modern printed and iconographic sources, along with a comprehensive bibliography from the 19th to 21st centuries, providing a historical and modern perspective on this complex theme
Ifigenia Treuspel (1715)
from: Racine. Jean. Ifigenia in Aulis, treurspel, Amsterdam, Jacob Lescailje, 1715, Frontespiece
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Jephthah’s Daughter (16th Century)
Royal Collection Trust, London
Jews put to the flames (1475)
from: Historie von Simon zu Trient [Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, 2 Inc.s.a. 62#Beibd], fol. 11v
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
K. Charles I. Murthered [1649 - 1660]
The Royal Collection Trust, UK
K. Charles I. Murthered [1649 - 1660]
The Royal Collection Trust, UK
Konincklick memoriael (1649)
from: Eikon Basilike. Konincklick memoriael. War in het innerlijk gemoet van sijne H. Mojesteyt Carolus Stuart Koninck van Engelandt, Schotlandt en Yrlandt, naer 't leven afgebeeldt wordt. In sijne gevanckenis en lijdsaemheyt by hem selver in 't Engelsch beschreven; en in Nederduytsch vertaelt, Amsterdam, Joost Hartgers, 1640, Frontispice.
British Museum, London
Monumentum regale licet cartaceum, on the Most Memorable Martyrdome of King Charles the First. Of Pretious Memorie, on the 30 Day of Ianuary An° Dm 1648 (1687)
British Museum, London
Oliver Cromwell between Two Pillars (above, The Sacrifice of Isaac) (1658)
Royal Collection Trust
Passover seder (1475)
from: Historie von Simon zu Trient [Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, 2 Inc.s.a. 62#Beibd], fol. 6v
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Purported Martyrdom of Simon of Trent (1465)
from: Tiberinus, Johannes Matthias, Passio Beati Simonis
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Purported Martyrdom of Simone of Trent (1475)
from: Historie von Simon zu Trient [Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, 2 Inc.s.a. 62#Beibd]
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Purported Martyrdom of Simone of Trent - Simone as Martyr (1475)
from: Historie von Simon zu Trient [Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, 2 Inc.s.a. 62#Beibd], fol. 4v
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Purported Martyrdom of Simone of Trient
Church of St Maria Rotonda. Pian Camuno, Val Camonica
Sacrificium Achas Regis Idololatrae IIII.Reg.XVI (1539)
from: Aemilius, Georg. Biblicae historiae, magno artificio depictae, et utilitatis publicae causa latinis epigrammatibus à Georgio Aemylio illustratae, Frankfurt, Christianus Egenolphus, [1539], p. Hiv(verso)
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Simon of Trent’s corpse (“victima”) (1475)
from: Historie von Simon zu Trient [Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, 2 Inc.s.a. 62#Beibd], fol. 5v
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Simon on the altar (“victima”) (1475)
from: Historie von Simon zu Trient [Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, 2 Inc.s.a. 62#Beibd], fol. 9v
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Statue of the Duke of Alba, 1571 (1730)
from: Le Clerc, Jean. Geschiedenissen der Vereenigde Nederlanden, sedert den aanvang van die Republyk tot op den vrede van Utrecht in 't jaar 1713 en het tractaat van Barriere in 't jaar 1715 gesloten. Verciert met d'afbeeldzels der voornaamste personaadjen, beruchste, gevallen, belegeringen van steden, veldslagen, en meer andere keurlyke printverbeeldingen, gesneden door den heer Picard Romein, en andere voorname meesters. In drie deelen in folio. In ‘t Fransch beschreven door den Heere Jean le Clerc. En nu in ‘t Nederduitsch vertaatl, Amsterdam, Zacharias Chatelain, 1730, vol. 1, p. 54
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Statue of the Duke of Alba, 1571 (1725)
from: Halma F.; Brouërius van Nidek, M. Tooneel der Vereenigde Nederlanden en onderhorige landschappen, geopent in een algemeen historisch, genealogisch, geographisch en staatkundig woordenboek, Leeuwarden, H. Halma, 1725, vol. 1, fol. 298
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam