Programma voor de begravenis van wijle hare majesteit mevrouwe Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina (...) Op Donderdag, den 26 October 1837, des morgens ten 10 ure by P.E. van Staden

Possibly 1837

Programma voor de begravenis van wijle hare majesteit mevrouwe Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina (...) Op Donderdag, den 26 October 1837, des morgens ten 10 ure

P.E. van Staden's Profile Picture

P.E. van Staden

@pevanstaden

Location

Rijksmuseum

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Curatorial notes

This printed program, produced by P.E. van Staden in 1837, details the funeral procession of Queen Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina. The program's material—paper—was relatively inexpensive, allowing for wide distribution. The text is tightly packed, indicative of the economic constraints on printed matter at the time, maximizing the use of each sheet. The lettering is achieved through careful application of ink, a labor-intensive process. The materiality of the program serves a practical function: it informs the public of the funeral's order. But it also underscores social hierarchy. The detailed instructions dictate the precise positions of various officials, emphasizing their ranks. Even the horses pulling the carriages have assigned roles. This level of detail reflects the rigid social structures of the time, with class and status meticulously arranged. Ultimately, this seemingly simple piece of print reveals the intersection of material constraints, social stratification, and the politics of mourning in 19th-century Netherlands.