Europa 1719 - 1749

This print was made by Philipp Andreas Degmair, likely in Germany, sometime in the mid-18th century. The decorative style of the frame is called Rococo. It was popular across Europe at this time, especially in the courts of kings and dukes. But this isn’t just a pattern; it’s an image, and images always do cultural work. The horse, for example, is a symbol of Europe. To the people who made and saw this print, Europe meant not just a place on the map, but a specific kind of society with its own traditions and institutions. On the right, we can see weapons and armour, suggesting this society defines itself through war, and perhaps conquest. This image is a celebration of the institutions of the 18th century. These institutions shape the meaning of art, and by looking at historical resources, we can get a better understanding of the artwork.