Programma voor de begrafenis van Zijne Majesteit Willem II 1849

Koenraad Fuhri designed this printed program for the funeral of Willem II, likely in 1849. The program itself offers a window into the social and political context of the Netherlands at the time. Consider the elaborate titles listed: King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, each reflects the complex web of power and privilege in 19th-century Europe. This program, sold for ten cents, wasn’t just a guide; it was a carefully constructed performance of royal authority, meant to reinforce social hierarchies. The Oranje-Nassau's were and are the Dutch Royal Family. To truly understand this piece, we can look to historical records, newspapers, and other printed materials. These resources can reveal the attitudes of the Dutch public toward their monarchy, and provide insight into the political climate surrounding Willem II's reign and the social function of royal ceremony. Art like this, then, becomes a key to unlocking the values and power structures of its time.