European politics in 1688-1689 as events in a chemical laboratory; with prophecies of disasters to come. Etching by R. de Hooghe and letterpress, 1689.

The upper etching shows a chemist's laboratory with three kilns operated by various chemists, burning and destroying objects and equipment. On the left, a kiln representing the Holy Roman Empire is under attack from Maximilian II Emmanuel, Prince Elector of Bavaria and others. On the roof, a Swiss guard, an Italian with a stiletto, and a medallion of the fall of Phaeton. On the ground, a cracked and fallen sun represents the Turkish empire. In the centre King Louis XIV (no. 7) is drawing the attention of King James II (no. 6) to a kiln representing the Palatinate, which is dilapidated by French conquests. On the right, the Pope (no. 8) is quarrelling with Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg, Bishop of Strasbourg. In the right background, the landing of the fleet of William of Orange in England

At the bottom, three smaller scenes: left, the revenge of the ghost of the Holy See against the French (no. 14); centre, the devil confronting Father Petre (no. 15); right, the ghost of King Charles II warning his brother King James II (no. 16)

[The Netherlands] : [publisher not identified], [1689]

1 print : etching, with letterpress ; platemark 24.7 x 35.8 cm, image and letterpress 53.4 x 35.3 cm

Labouratoire dece temps. Het groote stookhuis. Der princen dezes tijds, in Europe. Zlet hier het smelthuis van de Europiaansche grooten … Terwijl hy, zuchtend', t'schuim dat hem verried verzaakt. Below the etching, two columns of letterpress containing a key to sixteen numbered figures in Dutch verses

F. Muller, De nederlandsche geschiedenis in platen, part 1, Amsterdam: Frederik Muller, 1870, no. 2770

British Museum, catalogue of political and personal satires, no. 1154 (one of two versions)

Wellcome Collection 2136943i