Madame de Maintenon en Filips V knielen voor Lodewijk XIV, 1706 1706

This etching was made anonymously in 1706 and presents us with a satirical take on the French court of Louis XIV. Here, we see Louis XIV depicted alongside Madame de Maintenon and Philip V. This image uses visual codes and cultural references to critique the political climate of the time. France, under Louis XIV, was a major European power, but its policies were not without opposition. The etching suggests a critical view of Louis XIV's reign, particularly his relationship with Madame de Maintenon and the implications for the Spanish succession, symbolized by Philip V. Notice the eclipse in the upper left corner, which is likely a metaphor for political or social upheaval. The Dutch text indicates that the print was likely made in the Netherlands, a region with a history of resistance to French expansionism. To understand this piece more fully, we might consult historical documents, political pamphlets, and court records to better understand the power dynamics at play. The meaning of art like this is contingent on its social and institutional context, which the historian can help to illuminate.