Standvastigheid 1663 - 1716

Jacques-Antoine Friquet de Vauroze created this print titled ‘Standvastigheid’ using etching. The composition is set within a circle, creating a contained visual field where various figures enact a scene of dramatic tension. A king sits enthroned, while a soldier stands before him. A body lies prostrate at the foot of the throne. The lines are finely etched, rendering details in costume, architecture, and facial expressions. Notice the spatial arrangement; the characters are placed on different levels. This creates a hierarchy of power and importance. The architectural elements such as the columns and throne, and the landscape backdrop are all arranged to draw the eye towards the king. The print invites us to think about how power is constructed and represented through visual means. The careful arrangement of figures and architectural details serves to reinforce a particular understanding of order and authority. It reminds us that artistic choices are rarely neutral; they reflect and shape cultural values.