Buitengewone Nederlandsche Staats-Courant. Donderdag, 8 October. No. 241. 1840 Possibly 1840

This is ‘Buitengewone Nederlandsche Staats-Courant’, a printed proclamation from 1840, made by Algemeene Landsdrukkerij. The visual experience is dominated by vertical lines of text, precisely aligned, creating a structured yet dense composition. The use of a serif typeface adds a sense of formality and tradition. The layout reinforces a hierarchical structure, reflecting the authority of the proclamation's message. This formal analysis is intrinsically linked to the text's semiotic function. The newspaper layout with its structured columns of text is a deliberate encoding of power and order, reflecting the State's intention to disseminate information in a controlled manner. The seal with the crowned lions acts as a visual signifier of royal authority and national identity. The text itself reinforces power structures through language, addressing citizens with formal pronouncements. The deliberate arrangement of text and symbols serves not only to inform but also to assert authority, reminding us that even seemingly neutral forms of communication are embedded in larger cultural and political contexts. Meaning is not merely conveyed but also constructed.