Hofdienaren begeleiden het lijk van Anna van Hannover in de lijkstoet te Delft, 1759 1759 - 1761

Simon Fokke created this etching in 1759, depicting "Courtiers Accompanying the Corpse of Anna van Hannover in the Funeral Procession in Delft." This work offers insight into the hierarchical structures of 18th-century European society. Anna, daughter of King George II of Great Britain, was married into Dutch royalty, solidifying political alliances through matrimony. The etching captures the somber procession, underscoring the spectacle of power and mourning, with the courtiers' attire signifying their status and roles within the procession. Fokke's depiction does not overtly challenge the traditional representations of power and mourning. Instead, it serves as a detailed record of the rituals and customs surrounding royal death. The emotion conveyed is one of solemnity and formality, reflective of the period’s emphasis on decorum. It shows us how death, even in its most private moments, was leveraged as a public display of power and continuity.