Gedenkprent uitgereikt aan dragers van de nieuwe rouwlinten, 1794 1794

Izaak Jansz. de Wit created this print in 1794 using etching and engraving, processes involving sharp tools to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how the crisp, precise lines define the scene. It depicts a family and maid gathered around a tomb-like structure, a symbolic representation of mourning. The fine lines of the etching and engraving allow for detailed textures, from the flowing fabric of the figures’ clothing to the delicate fronds of the weeping willow. The labor-intensive processes speak to the solemnity of the occasion: the distribution of new mourning ribbons. In a time of political upheaval and social change, even something as simple as a ribbon could be loaded with meaning. This print acts as a memento, carefully crafted to reflect a specific moment of Dutch history, and reminding us of the social and political significance of the time. By considering the materials and making of this print, we gain a deeper understanding of its historical context and cultural significance.