Aankomst van de prins en prinses van Oranje te Middelburg, 1786 1786

Mathias de Sallieth made this print, "Arrival of the Prince and Princess of Orange in Middelburg," in 1786, by incising lines into a copper plate. He then applied ink and pressed paper against it to transfer the image. The social dynamics emerge through this detailed rendering. The careful control needed to create the fine lines speaks to a culture of precision, a value shared by the craftsperson and the aristocratic subjects portrayed. Note how the artist has captured the fabric of the clothing, which signals social status through texture and pattern. The printmaking process itself, with its reliance on skilled labor and mechanical reproduction, mirrors the broader societal structures of the time. Sallieth's choice of printmaking— a relatively accessible medium — suggests an intention to engage with a wider audience, beyond the elite circles depicted. By considering the materials, the making process, and the social context, we gain a deeper understanding of this artwork. The arrival of the Prince and Princess is not merely a depiction of a historical event, but a window into the values, labor, and power dynamics of 18th-century society.