De Franse en Spaanse wereldzagers, 1706 1706

This anonymous print from 1706 at the Rijksmuseum uses etching to satirize international politics. It reflects the historical context of the War of the Spanish Succession, a major European conflict at the beginning of the 18th century. Here, Louis XIV of France and Philip V of Spain are depicted sawing the world in half, while a figure representing the Netherlands tries to prevent them. A devilish figure below fuels their efforts. The text surrounding the image provides a narrative commentary, typical of political prints of the era. The artist uses visual metaphor to express a viewpoint on the balance of power and the tensions between nations. Prints like this were tools for shaping public opinion, laden with propaganda and nationalistic sentiment. Consider how this image invites you to consider the emotional and political investments of its original audience.