Spotprent op de Franse verliezen bij Kaap la Hogue, 1692 1692

This print, made in 1692 by an anonymous artist, commemorates the French losses at the battle of La Hogue, and it’s made with etching, a printmaking process that allows for detailed and reproducible images. The image's stark contrast, achieved by incising lines into a metal plate and then applying ink, gives it a dramatic quality. The artist skillfully used this medium to convey a scene of chaos and defeat. The lines create texture and depth, from the tumultuous sea to the expressions of the figures. The choice of printmaking is significant, in that it enabled mass production and distribution. In this way, the artist engaged with both a skilled tradition of image-making and the political climate of the time. The prints served as propaganda, designed to celebrate victory and humiliate the enemy. By understanding the materials, the making process, and the social context, we can appreciate how this print blurs the boundaries between art, craft, and political commentary.