Spotprent op Napoleons verlies van Holland en Spanje, 1813 Possibly 1813

Thomas Rowlandson made this print in 1813, using etching and watercolor. Etching is an indirect intaglio process, in which the artist protects areas of a metal plate with wax, then submerges the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. Here, Rowlandson added watercolor by hand, a common practice at the time. The etched lines define the forms, but the washes of color give the scene its lively, satirical tone. It's worth noting that printmaking at this time was a highly developed commercial industry. Rowlandson and others produced these images quickly and in large numbers, responding to public sentiment. The caricature style, with its exaggerated features and dynamic composition, effectively conveys the message of Napoleon's defeat. The relatively cheap materials and the reproductive nature of the printmaking underscore the artwork’s intended audience: the British public, eager for visual confirmation of their triumph. By understanding the processes behind this print, we gain insight into its social context and its role in shaping public opinion.