Rouwkamer van koningin Maria II Stuart, 1695 1695

This print, made in 1695 by an anonymous artist, depicts the mourning room of Queen Mary II Stuart. The image is created through etching, a process involving the use of acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Here, the stark black lines against the white paper create a somber atmosphere, enhanced by the depiction of elaborate heraldic decorations filling the room. The dense composition, achieved through meticulous etching, reflects the solemnity and the sheer volume of labor involved in royal mourning rituals. Consider the social context: the print serves not only as a commemorative object but also as a form of documentation, a means of visually recording and disseminating information about the Queen’s death. This piece invites us to reflect on the intersections of craft, ritual, and the representation of power in the late 17th century. It challenges traditional notions of fine art, prompting us to consider the broader cultural work that images perform.