Rouwende edelen rond het sterfbed van Antoine de Bourbon 1785

Benoit Louis Prevost created this print of grieving nobles around the deathbed of Antoine de Bourbon, likely in France during the late 18th or early 19th century. It's made using a technique that allows for the mass reproduction of images. Prints like this one offer us a glimpse into the social and political landscape of the time. The image shows the solemn rituals surrounding the death of a nobleman, highlighting the importance of lineage and succession in a monarchical society. The title below indicates that this image appeared in a history book about the House of Bourbon. The Bourbons were among the most important royal houses in Europe, they ruled France and Spain for centuries, and this history would have served to legitimize their claims to power. For the historian, a print like this is more than just a picture. By looking at the visual style, the subject matter, and the context in which it was made and circulated, we can learn a great deal about the values, beliefs, and power structures of a bygone era. Resources like historical archives, libraries, and online databases can provide further insights into the artist, the subject, and the social history surrounding the print.