Jacobus II komt aan te Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1690 1691

Here, we see Pieter Pickaert’s engraving of ‘Jacobus II komt aan te Saint-Germain-en-Laye’, dating from around 1690. The composition is divided vertically, creating two distinct zones of activity and reception. On the left, King James is greeted by his wife amidst a dense gathering of courtiers and guards, their forms tightly packed and somewhat obscured. To the right, the French court, with its open, inviting gesture towards King James' horse, offering space and hospitality. The texture created by the hatching lines defines forms and adds depth. The artist uses line and shading to create a sense of volume and detail, from the elaborate clothing to the architectural elements in the background. The print functions as a historical record, capturing a specific moment in time, but also operates within a semiotic system where gestures, clothing, and setting all convey symbolic meanings of power, welcome, and alliance. The structure of the engraving, with its balance of density and openness, not only depicts the event but also communicates the dynamics of political relationships and cultural exchange.