Allegorische triomfwagen van de twaalfjarige Willem III, 1663 1663

This print, "Allegorical Triumphal Carriage of the Twelve-Year-Old Willem III," was made in 1663 by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger using engraving, a process with a long history tied to both art and industry. Engraving involves carefully incising lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and printed. The precision required speaks to the engraver’s skill. Look closely at the way the lines define form and texture, from the drapery of the figures to the elaborate carriage. The very act of engraving, with its demand for meticulous labor, mirrors the societal structures of the time, where every level of society had its prescribed role. Prints like this served to disseminate political messages and reinforce social hierarchies. The choice of engraving as a medium underscores the intent to circulate this image widely, solidifying Willem III’s position in the public consciousness. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are deeply embedded in the social and political contexts of their time, and of the labor that went into their making.