I see everything and I see nothing (Je vois tout et je ne vois rien), with hidden silhouettes of the French royal family 1796

This engraving, made by D. Martin around the late 18th century, shows a neoclassical urn beneath a weeping willow. The image was printed from an etched copper plate – a skilled, laborious process. Lines were incised into the metal using acid, then filled with ink and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see that the leaves of the willow coalesce to form ghostly silhouettes. This is the French royal family, hidden in plain sight. It's a daring piece of political commentary, made in a time of great social upheaval. The title, "I see everything and I see nothing," speaks volumes. The artist is acknowledging the widespread discontent with the monarchy, while also protecting themself from retribution. Prints like this were relatively cheap to produce, and became a powerful tool for disseminating subversive ideas. Ultimately, this unassuming image reminds us that even the most traditional craft techniques can be used to challenge power and speak truth to power.