Anti-roomse spotprent op de verkiezing van een paus, mogelijk ca. 1758 1758

This anti-papal satire was made around 1758 by an anonymous artist. The composition is a dense aggregation of figures and symbols, organized to create a visual assault on the senses. The visual structure divides into a heavenly realm above, contrasted with earthly chaos below. Classical figures, like a nude female standing on an orb, clash with clergymen and mythical beasts. The linear precision of the etching technique gives every detail equal weight. The eye is pulled in multiple directions, mirroring the polemical nature of the print. The artist uses a semiotic system of signs to undermine religious authority. For example, the beehive on top of the dog symbolizes diligence. But the figures are caught in a dynamic struggle. This challenges established hierarchies and invites critical engagement with prevailing power structures. Ultimately, this print functions as a battleground of ideas, highlighting the tensions between faith and reason during the Enlightenment era.