Both the painting and the written description depict a scene where both sides of the conflict seem completely confused as to the real reason for what it turned out to be a deadly confrontation.
The written account elaborates somewhat methodically the actions that led, step by step to the escalation of what originally was nothing but an argument between a soldier or sentry and a robe maker. The perennial curiosity of the nearby masses and the somewhat well established intransigence of law enforcement individuals clashed drastically and led to a tragic result that could've been easily avoided if cooler heads had prevailed. The depiction of the man in charge of the soldiers as a man not fit for the job seems to confirm the fact that a more disciplined superior would've been able to restrain his forces until the situation or issue at stake was clarified among the quarreling parties.
Finally, the painting only depicts the firing of the lined up soldiers against a revolting crowd on the other side but provides no clues as to what was the reason that led to the moment being depicted when the bayonets are being fired at short range in a firing squad like manner.
Context clues because it describes the meaning of the word
