Anonymous engraver
Burin
Measurements: 256 x 118
The sheet appeared in the Koninklijke almanach in 1701 published by Carl Allard. It is a satire related to episodes of the War of the Spanish Succession that occurred upon the death of Charles II. The harlequin on the left is dressed as a blacksmith, raising a large key with which he has opened the city gates to the French troops visible in the background. On the right, the Harpagon from Moliere's comedy weighs and counts some coins, both Spanish, depicting Philip V, and French, depicting Louis XIV, the "hidden" supporter of the new king Philip of Bourbon, his nephew. In the six lines of verse in French below the subject, it is explained how Harlequin is actually master of the city and can let troops enter on the night of Mardi Gras. Harpagon is little interested in who the new master of the city is, but ready to leave him in his shirt. The subject was quite successful, so much so that a similar version published in London by Piere Moxse in 1706 is known. And still others reduced in size in different almanacs of the time. The etching and burin work is well articulated and fluid, denoting an expert hand. Fresh and homogeneous impression. Specimen trimmed on the copperplate mark. Some fixed tears. On the back a modern stamp with the inscription: ubecrivis. (0370219)
Unidentifiable antique watermark.
