Spotprent op het Verdrag van Fontainebleau, 1785 1785 - 1786

This anonymous etching at the Rijksmuseum is a political cartoon responding to the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1785. This treaty realigned power dynamics in Europe, reflecting the ambitions and anxieties of the era’s major players. The artist satirizes the diplomatic negotiations, presenting them as a 'cheese collation' where European leaders are gathered around a table, dividing up a cheese. This is a not-so-subtle commentary on the carving up of territories and influence. The text accompanying the image identifies each figure, from Emperor Joseph to Catherine the Great, and assigns them roles in this political feast. The lone figure on the left is worth noting. He’s on the outside, looking in with a lantern, as if excluded or marginalized. The image resonates as a commentary on power, exclusion, and the ever-shifting landscape of 18th-century European politics. It’s a reminder that behind every treaty, there are winners and losers, and these decisions shape the lives of ordinary people.