Leven en bedrijf van koning Jacobus II van Engeland, 1690 1690

This anonymous print from 1690 depicts the life and times of King James II of England. It's an engraving, which was a popular medium for disseminating political messages in the Dutch Republic at the time. The image creates meaning through a series of vignettes, each representing a key moment in James II's life. We see his birth, his coronation, battles, and ultimately, his exile. The Dutch Republic, where this print was made, had a complex relationship with England, marked by both alliance and rivalry. This print reflects the Dutch perspective on the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw James II deposed and replaced by William of Orange, the Dutch Stadtholder. The inclusion of this event is a commentary on power, religion, and international relations. Was the Dutch artist celebrating or critiquing these events? To understand this print better, we can consult historical documents, political pamphlets, and other visual sources from the period. Only then can we reveal the social and institutional context in which the artwork was made.