The triumph of faith, a soldier standing in centre holding shield adorned with arms of Alva; Holy Trinity above, St James Major on horseback at left 1698

Marcos de Orozco created this engraving, "The Triumph of Faith," likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. The artwork is defined by its lines, achieved by cutting into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The nature of engraving allows for detailed and repeatable imagery, an apt medium here, as this print was undoubtedly created as propaganda. Note the weaponry and armor, emblems of power and triumph, all rendered with remarkable precision. Orozco wasn't just making art; he was making a statement about faith, power, and the social order. The relatively low cost of production means that engravings like these could circulate widely, carrying their message far beyond the elite circles of patronage. The act of printing itself becomes a tool, disseminating ideas and shaping public opinion in ways that painting or sculpture simply could not. It reminds us that art is never just about aesthetics; it's about the world it inhabits and the messages it conveys.