De Franse en Spaanse wereldzagers, 1706 1706

This engraving, *De Franse en Spaanse wereldzagers*, was made anonymously in 1706 using the intaglio process. Here, a copper plate would have been incised with tools to hold ink, allowing a printmaker to transfer the image onto paper. This commercial printing process was increasingly common in the 18th century, and played an important role in circulating news and political satire. Note how this print comments on contemporary European power struggles. Louis XIV of France and Phillip V of Spain are depicted sawing the world in half, while a figure representing Justice sits above them, detached. A devilish figure waits below to claim the scraps. The detailed lines of the print, achieved through careful handwork, create a scene rife with tension. The choice of a widely accessible medium like print, rather than painting or sculpture, signals the intent to reach a broad audience. The imagery would have been clear to contemporary viewers, highlighting the power dynamics of the time and offering a pointed commentary on the leaders involved. This work shows us that it’s crucial to consider how political context and modes of production intersect with the world of fine art.