Erepoort met vuurwerk ter gelegenheid van het huwelijk tussen Maria Theresia van Oostenrijk en Frans Stefanus, 1736 1736

Richard van Orley created this etching in 1736, commemorating the marriage of Maria Theresa of Austria and Francis Stephen. The print is made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper, a process demanding great dexterity. The image shows a temporary triumphal arch built for the occasion, complete with fireworks. But look closer – every detail, from the statues to the billowing smoke, is rendered through the skilled manipulation of line. The varying densities create light and shadow, giving depth to the scene. Etchings like this were not just art objects; they were a form of documentation, and also propaganda. They circulated widely, spreading the image of royal power and solidifying the social order. Consider the labor involved: from the artist's hand to the printing press, each impression bears the mark of skilled work. By appreciating the craft behind this image, we understand how art, politics, and the world of work were deeply intertwined.