Karel van Lotharingen in gesprek met Michel de l'Hopital 1790

Daniel Chodowiecki made this print of Karel van Lotharingen in gesprek met Michel de l'Hopital using etching techniques. The image depicts a meeting between Charles of Lorraine and Michel de l'Hôpital, a 16th-century French statesman. Made in the late 18th century, this print reflects the Enlightenment's interest in historical subjects and moral lessons. Chodowiecki was a prominent printmaker in Berlin, and his work often carried social and political commentary. In the context of the late 1700s, consider how the artist’s choice to represent a scene of diplomacy and negotiation might have been commenting on contemporary political issues, such as the power dynamics within Europe. The setting of the meeting, a formal interior adorned with portraits and heraldry, suggests the importance of tradition and authority. Further research into Chodowiecki’s other works and the historical context of this print could reveal deeper insights into the social and institutional forces shaping artistic production. The meaning of art is always contingent on social context.