Franse spotprent op de vermeende dood van Willem III, 1690 1690

This anonymous French caricature from 1690, now at the Rijksmuseum, presents itself as a sardonic commentary on the supposed death of William III. Rendered in stark lines, the print depicts a funeral procession carrying William’s body. The figures, stiff and formalized, exude a sense of theatrical mourning, which undercuts any genuine grief. The composition is structured to ridicule rather than lament. William, lying in state, is surrounded by figures representing different nations, each reacting in an exaggerated manner. The use of text as a visual element is crucial. Poetic verses frame the image, adding layers of irony and political critique. The artist employs a semiotic system here, using recognizable symbols to mock William and his allies. The visual and textual elements work together to destabilize established meanings of power and mourning, suggesting a world turned upside down through political satire. The rigid structure and bold lines function as a form of cultural critique, reflecting and shaping public opinion during a time of intense political strife.