Britse Hogerhuis Possibly 1749

John Pine created this engraving titled ‘Britse Hogerhuis’ which translates to ‘British House of Lords.’ Consider for a moment the social and political contexts of 18th-century Britain that shaped this image. It was a period defined by rigid social hierarchies, and the rise of parliamentary power. The House of Lords was composed of hereditary peers and bishops, reflecting a society where power was concentrated in the hands of a privileged few. Notice that the composition is dominated by men dressed in finery, underscoring their elevated status, while the King sits at the head of the room. Visually, this image embodies an era of empire and entrenched social norms. Consider who is absent. Where are the common people? Where are the people of color given the extent of the Empire? Pine’s engraving offers a glimpse into a world of power and privilege. It invites us to reflect on the historical structures that have shaped our present.