Sleutel op de prent: Lodewijk XVI wordt van zijn familie gescheiden 1793

This print, "Sleutel op de prent: Lodewijk XVI wordt van zijn familie gescheiden", was made by an anonymous artist, depicting the separation of Louis XVI from his family. The work is made of printmaking on paper. The process involves the careful application of ink to a matrix – likely a metal plate – before being pressed onto the page. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines that delineate the figures, each a testament to the engraver's skill. Printmaking was a crucial means of disseminating images and ideas during the revolutionary era. Prints like this one would have circulated widely, shaping public opinion and constructing narratives around key events. The relatively low cost of production meant that these images were accessible to a broad audience, contributing to a shared visual culture. The work embodies the labor of the artist, but also the broader socio-political context of its creation. Understanding its materials and processes is key to understanding the print's full meaning.