Executie van vier Haymarket-martelaren - Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel

A stark, symbolic woodcut by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel depicting the Haymarket martyrs with a personified figure of Death.

This woodcut by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel depicts the execution of the Haymarket martyrs, a subject rooted in the labour movements of the late nineteenth century. De Bazel, a Dutch architect and designer, employs a stark, graphic language to convey the gravity of the event. The composition is dominated by a skeletal figure of Death, who looms over four figures representing the executed men. The skeletal form is rendered with sharp, angular lines, holding a crown above the heads of the martyrs, which suggests a grim recognition of their sacrifice.

The background features a series of vertical, tombstone-like shapes, creating a rhythmic, repetitive structure that reinforces the solemnity of the scene. The use of high-contrast black and white ink is characteristic of the woodcut medium, allowing for bold silhouettes and a flattened perspective that emphasises the symbolic nature of the work rather than a literal depiction of the historical event. The figures of the men are shown in profile, their expressions calm and resigned, contrasting with the jagged, aggressive form of the personified Death.

De Bazel was associated with the Dutch Theosophical movement, and his work often incorporates geometric precision and spiritual symbolism. In this print, the influence of his architectural background is visible in the disciplined arrangement of the forms. The work avoids excessive detail, focusing instead on the clarity of the message and the strength of the graphic composition. It is a piece that reflects the political consciousness of the era, using the medium of printmaking to disseminate ideas and commemorate those involved in the struggle for workers' rights. The print remains a clear example of how graphic arts were utilised to address social and political themes during the turn of the century.