Karikatuur van Porzellana Kinkank 1705 - 1715

Martin Engelbrecht made this caricature around the turn of the 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques on paper. The incised lines, carefully bitten by acid, reveal a fascinating intersection of material, process, and social commentary. Look closely, and you can see the textures created by the engraver's tools, defining the figure's features and clothing. The process allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, enabling the widespread dissemination of satire. This print offers a glimpse into the social landscape of the time. The caricature is a humorous critique of wealth and status, perhaps reflecting the growing merchant class and their aspirations to climb the social ladder. It's easy to imagine this print being shared and chuckled over in coffee houses, a visual shorthand for broader social tensions. Engelbrecht's print reminds us that even seemingly simple images can carry complex cultural meanings. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the hands, tools, and social forces that shaped its creation.