Spotprent op Hendrik van der Noot en Petrus van Eupen, 1790 1790 - 1794

This print, made in 1790 by an anonymous artist, is a Dutch political cartoon now held in the Rijksmuseum. It satirizes Hendrik van der Noot and Petrus van Eupen, key figures in the Brabant Revolution against Austrian rule. The image creates meaning through symbolic visual codes. A bird, representing Austria, dangles puppets labeled with the names of the revolutionaries. Around them, various figures embody the perceived corruption and absurdity of the revolutionary government. The title, "Les États en Exercice," points to the Estates-General, the representative body of the Austrian Netherlands, suggesting the revolution’s chaos and ineffectiveness. The print critiques the social and political order of its time, lampooning the revolutionary leaders and questioning the legitimacy of their rule. Historians use a variety of resources to understand such works, including contemporary pamphlets, newspapers, and archival documents. By situating the artwork in its historical context, we can better appreciate its social and political significance.