Inhuldiging van keizer Karel VI als hertog van Brabant te Brussel, 1717 1717

This print, made by Jacobus Harrewijn in 1717, commemorates the inauguration of Charles VI as Duke of Brabant in Brussels. Harrewijn's chosen medium of engraving is crucial to understanding its context. Engraving, a meticulous process of incising lines into a metal plate, was essential for disseminating images widely in the early 18th century. The dense network of fine lines captures the grandeur of the ceremonial setting and emphasizes the political significance of the event. The linear precision lends a sense of authority, aligning with the Emperor's image. Consider the labor invested in creating this print: the skilled hand of the engraver, the infrastructure of printmaking workshops, and the demand for images to legitimize power. Harrewijn's engraving reflects a society deeply invested in visual representation as a means of asserting dominance and shaping public perception. By focusing on the material and process, we recognize the print not just as a picture, but as a product of labor, technology, and political ambition.