Dood van koning Karel II van Spanje , 1700 1706 - 1720

This print depicting the death of King Charles II of Spain was made around 1700 by Pieter Schenk. It's an engraving, meaning the image was carved into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. This process, though mechanical, still required a skilled hand to translate the scene into a network of lines. Look closely and you’ll see how the varying thickness and density of these lines create depth, shadow, and texture, bringing the scene to life. The print was then hand-colored, adding another layer of artistry. This combination of mechanical reproduction and manual coloring reflects a transitional moment in art history, as printmaking became increasingly important. The image is not just about the death of a king, it's about the power of print to disseminate information and shape public perception. In this case, it shows how an event of great political significance could be captured and circulated, contributing to the construction of history itself.