Ceremony of the Contract of Marriage between Władysław IV, King of Poland, and Marie Louise Gonzaga, Princess of Mantua, at Fontainebleau 1645

This etching by Abraham Bosse, titled "Ceremony of the Contract of Marriage between Władysław IV, King of Poland, and Marie Louise Gonzaga, Princess of Mantua, at Fontainebleau," depicts the formal signing of the royal couple's marriage contract in 1645. The scene takes place in a grand hall with a multitude of figures, including the royal couple, their entourages, and witnesses. Bosse's detailed depiction of the ceremony and its participants provides a fascinating glimpse into the opulent world of 17th-century European royalty. The use of etching, a technique where acid is used to create the image on a metal plate, adds a distinctive texture to the print. This artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, offers a valuable historical and artistic record of this significant event.