Koning op troon omringd door onderdanen en kuiper met vat 1657

This etching, "King on throne surrounded by subjects and cooper with barrel", was created by Cornelis van Dalen II in 1657. Notice how the composition is structured around a central vanishing point, drawing the eye towards the king enthroned on the right. The sharp lines and contrasting textures create a hierarchical arrangement, both physical and symbolic. The etching employs a semiotic system where architectural grandeur and a regal figure signify power, but this is cleverly destabilized. The foreground is dominated by a cooper working on a barrel. The inclusion of this everyday scene challenges conventional representations of power, suggesting a world where craftsmanship and common labor intersect with royalty. The artist uses a combination of precise engraving and dynamic composition to raise questions about the foundations of authority and the relationship between rulers and the ruled. The tension between formal representation and social critique remains a key feature of its lasting appeal.