Kaart van Polen verdeeld tussen de vorsten, 1773 1773 - 1775

This anonymous print from 1773, now held at the Rijksmuseum, captures the political drama of the First Partition of Poland. The print reflects a time of intense geopolitical maneuvering among powerful European monarchs. It allegorically depicts Russia, Austria, and Prussia tearing apart a map of Poland. Above, an angel trumpets their triumph, a stark commentary on the power dynamics at play. What does it mean to see a nation's identity and territory so callously divided? What are the human costs of such political decisions? It serves as a potent visual representation of the erasure of a nation, reflecting on themes of loss, power, and national identity. As we look at this image today, we’re reminded of how the stories of nations are written and rewritten, often at the expense of the people who call them home.