Minister Grumbkow en Gaultier vertellen Friedrich Wilhelm dat de staatskas leeg is 1786

This etching by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki captures a moment of financial reckoning for Friedrich Wilhelm. Executed with fine lines, the composition leads our eyes to the figures gathered around a table, bathed in a stark light that throws the upper part of the image in shadow. The setting—ostensibly the King's chamber—becomes a stage for the unfolding drama. The artist masterfully uses contrasting textures to define both character and narrative. The smooth faces and intricate wigs of the ministers are juxtaposed against the rough fabric of the tablecloth, creating a tension that mirrors the strained exchange. The careful arrangement of the figures within a confined space intensifies the psychological weight of the scene. What emerges is not just a depiction of historical figures but an exploration of power, representation, and the semiotics of space and dress. Through the graphic tension of light and shadow, Chodowiecki invites us to ponder the unstable dynamics of the court and the fragile nature of royal authority.