Weest dapper, mint den prins, en hoopt op God. enz.

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Weest dapper, mint prins, en hoopt God. enz.** (1785) is a striking engraving by Dutch artist Theodoor Kon, measuring 273 mm high by 217 mm wide. Created during the turbulent late 18th century in the Dutch Republic, this captures the era's political fervor. The title, translating to "Be brave, the prince, and hope God, etc.," echoes pro-Orangist sentiments amid the Patriot Revolution (1780s), when supporters of Stadtholder William V rallied against revolutionary factions. Such inscriptions were common in propaganda prints, blending faith, loyalty, and national pride to inspire the public. As an engraving, Koning's work exemplifies a precise intaglio technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, inked, and pressed onto paper. This method allowed for detailed reproductions and widespread distribution—ideal for political messaging in an age before mass media. The verso bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2228), indicating provenance from a distinguished European collection, adding to its historical value as a preserved artifact of 18th-century Dutch print culture. Today, this piece offers visitors a window into how art fueled civic discourse, reminding us of engraving's power to unite communities through shared ideals.