Visioen van de ondergang van Spanje, ca. 1630 1630 - 1635

Salomon Savery made this print around 1630 using the intaglio process of engraving. He cut lines into a copper plate, which would have been laborious, requiring force and precision. Savery's detailed depiction of conflict and chaos is made all the more unsettling by its crisp execution. This wasn't just a freehand drawing. Every line had to be deliberately incised, demanding a focused, perhaps even detached mindset from the artist. The stark contrast between light and shadow adds to the drama, a direct result of the way ink clings to the engraved lines. Prints like these, which were relatively inexpensive to produce and widely distributed, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion. By presenting a "vision" of Spain's downfall, Savery was participating in a broader propaganda war. The act of engraving, normally associated with precise reproduction, is here used to create an emotionally charged, politically potent image. It reminds us that even the most "mechanical" processes can be wielded with great persuasive force.