Reproductie van de Franse spotprent op de vermeende dood van Willem III, 1690 1690

This anonymous print from 1690 satirizes French miscalculations regarding William III's supposed death. It serves as a window into the political climate of the Dutch Republic during a period of intense conflict with France. The image depicts a mock funeral procession, spotlighting French figures mourning William III, who was very much alive. This visual commentary uses the imagery of death and mourning to ridicule French intelligence and strategic missteps. It was produced during the Nine Years' War, reflecting the Dutch Republic's fierce resistance against French expansionism. Prints such as this would have served as propaganda, bolstering morale and national identity. By examining such images, alongside period pamphlets and political tracts, we can gain a better understanding of the strategies and tactics of the Dutch Republic and the complex social conditions that shaped their artistic production.