Triomfpoort aan de Bosstraat bij de intrede van Willem IV te Breda, 1737 1737

Iven Besoet created this print in 1737, depicting a triumphal arch erected for William IV's procession into Breda. The printmaking process itself is critical to understanding this artwork. Engraving, the technique used here, involves meticulously carving lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. The fine lines and intricate details we see are a testament to Besoet's skill and the labor-intensive nature of this reproductive medium. The print served a vital social function. It allowed for the widespread dissemination of imagery associated with power and authority. Besoet's decision to use engraving, rather than painting, meant that the image could be multiplied efficiently, and consumed across social classes. By appreciating the artistry and labor involved in its creation, we recognize the broader social and political context in which it was made, and its intended audience. Printmaking democratized art in its own way, and it is important to consider this artwork as an object of political communication.