Koning Lodewijk XIII en kardinaal Richelieu in een schuit 1618 - 1630

This engraving, made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, depicts King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu in a ship. The print was made using a sharp tool to cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. This process allowed for multiples to be made, disseminating imagery widely, like political cartoons today. The sharp lines define the figures and the ship, giving it a crisp, precise feel. But look closer: these very lines also evoke larger debates about labor and power. Engraving was a skilled craft, requiring time and expertise. The image therefore speaks to the immense power of both the King and the Cardinal, who could command the production of such objects. But the print also subtly acknowledges the labor involved in creating and distributing imagery. It is a reminder that art objects are always the product of collective effort, tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. So, next time you see a print, think about the many hands that brought it into being.