Scene of Pillage
1642
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1642
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Scene of Pillage is a 1642 ink by Gerrit van Schagen, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a chaotic street scene where a group of rough-looking men in old-fashioned clothes are attacking a house. One man is swinging a weapon at a woman who’s shielding herself, while others drag a fallen figure. The house has a simple roof and small windows, and the street is lined with trees and other buildings in the background. The text below the scene is in French, criticizing the men’s violent behavior. This kind of dramatic, emotional storytelling was common in Baroque art. If you like this style, look up Baroque.
