Onderwerping van Napels aan Karel III, 1707 1712 - 1715

Johann August Corvinus made this print called “Onderwerping van Napels aan Karel III” in 1707. It depicts the submission of Naples to Charles III. This print offers a glimpse into the world of 18th-century European power struggles. Created in the Dutch Republic, it captures a key moment in the War of the Spanish Succession. The image combines text and illustration to emphasize the triumph of Charles III. The scene is framed with allegorical figures and symbols of power, reinforcing the idea of legitimate rule. Looking closely, we see more than just a historical record; we see a carefully constructed piece of propaganda, crafted to legitimize a new regime. Prints like these circulated widely, shaping public opinion and reinforcing the authority of ruling elites. To fully understand the print, we must consider how art served political ends. A good place to start is by studying primary source documents from the period: pamphlets, letters, and official proclamations. Doing this will allow us to reconstruct the complex web of social, political, and economic forces that shaped its creation.