Jakobus de Meerdere verslaat de Moren tijdens de slag bij Clavijo 1847 - 1877

William Unger created this print, "Jacobus de Meerdere verslaat de Moren tijdens de slag bij Clavijo", using etching techniques. This print depicts Saint James, also known as Santiago, a key figure in Spanish identity, triumphing over the Moors at the Battle of Clavijo. Unger, who worked in the Netherlands, was a master of reproducing other artists’ works through etching. Here, he disseminates a foundational myth of the Spanish Reconquista – the centuries-long struggle to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. The image's visual codes draw upon deeply entrenched cultural narratives, linking military victory with divine favor. It reflects the social conditions of 19th-century Europe, where national identities were being forged through historical narratives and often, religious undertones. Understanding this print requires a historical lens, exploring the socio-political context of both the Spanish myth and its reproduction within the 19th-century art world. Such historical contextualization illuminates how art serves as a site for constructing and reinforcing cultural values.