Allegorie op het illegaal herdrukken van boeken 1781

This etching, titled "Allegory on the Illegal Reprinting of Books," was created by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki in 1781 and depicts a satirical commentary on the practice of illegal book replication. The scene portrays several figures, including a seated woman in mourning, representing the plight of authors whose works are copied without permission. The central figure, likely representing a printer, is seen handing out copies of a book to others, suggesting the widespread nature of this practice. The artwork offers a glimpse into the anxieties surrounding copyright and intellectual property in the 18th century, making it a valuable resource for understanding historical attitudes towards authorship and distribution.