The French and Spanish globe-sawyers, anonymous, 1706
etching, h 318mm × w 400mm More details
With the succession of the French Philip V to the Spanish throne, unification of France and Spain seemed inevitable. The Allies refused to accept such an upset to the Continental balance of power. This print shows France and Spain’s devilish pact to split the world between them. Royal mistress Madame de Maintenon urinates onto the saw to wet the blade.
