Allegorie op de verheffing van Willem IV, prins van Oranje-Nassau, tot erfstadhouder 1752 - 1753

This engraving, made by Jan Caspar Philips, celebrates the elevation of Willem IV to hereditary stadtholder. It is a detailed print made using the technique of engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The medium profoundly influences the artwork's appearance: the sharp, precise lines create a sense of clarity, order, and permanence, reflecting the supposed stability of inherited power. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image. Each line had to be carefully cut into the metal, in reverse, demanding great skill and patience. The printmaking tradition has long been associated with disseminating information and propaganda, making it a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. By focusing on the material and making of this print, we gain a deeper understanding of its historical and social significance, recognizing how it blurs the lines between art, craft, and political messaging.