Verklaring bij de prent: Allegorie op het herstel van de eenheid in Nederland, 1787 1787

This allegorical print, created in 1787 by an anonymous artist, was printed on paper using etching. The choice of this readily available material speaks to the print's function as a disseminator of political sentiment in the Netherlands. The etching process, involving the use of acid to bite into a metal plate, allowed for the relatively quick production of multiple copies. Look closely and you'll see the intricate details of the lettering and decorative elements. These would have been carefully incised into the plate by a skilled artisan. The resulting print bears the mark of this labor, as well as the social and political turmoil of the late 18th century. The text, presented in both Dutch and French, underscores the print's purpose: to explain an allegory of restored unity in the Netherlands. The materials and making are crucial here, providing a window into the era's visual culture. The artist deployed accessible printmaking techniques to engage the public, blurring the line between art, propaganda, and political discourse.