Hertog van Brunswijk legt in de Staten van Holland de eed af als voogd van Willem V, 1754 1754 - 1759

This engraving by A. Hulk, made in 1754, depicts the Duke of Brunswick taking an oath in the States of Holland. The printmaking process used to create this image relies on transferring an image onto a metal plate, likely copper, which is then etched with acid. Ink is applied, and the plate is pressed onto paper, creating a reversed image. This was a common method for reproducing images and disseminating information, effectively an industrial process for visual communication in the 18th century. The detailed lines and tonal variations show the skill required to create such a plate. The print's monochrome palette emphasizes the solemnity of the depicted event, while the precise rendering of the scene conveys the importance of political procedure. The labor-intensive process of engraving, involving skilled artisans, stands in contrast to the political power and social status of the figures represented. This print serves as a reminder that art and craft are intertwined with the social, political, and economic contexts of their time, challenging traditional distinctions between them.