Titelpagina voor de Europische Mercurius van 1745 1745

This is the title page for the 1745 edition of the "Europische Mercurius," a Dutch chronicle of European events, created by an anonymous artist. The print plunges us into the heart of the War of the Austrian Succession, a conflict that embroiled much of Europe. The allegorical figures of Justice and Mercury are overshadowed by scenes of war and destruction, reflecting the tumultuous times. Justice, holding a banner proclaiming "PRACTISE HOOGE JACTITIE" (Practice High Justice), sits passively while Mercury gestures towards the chaos. In the background, soldiers clash amidst a burning city, a stark reminder of the war's devastating impact on ordinary people. The inclusion of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, suggests the economic dimensions of these conflicts, highlighting how war disrupted trade routes and impacted financial systems. This image reflects the societal anxieties and upheavals of the mid-18th century. Yet, it is the emotional resonance of the print, its depiction of human suffering and resilience amidst chaos, that lingers with us.