Titelpagina voor: J. Nomsz, Amelia, of de hertog van Foix, treurspel, 1784 1784

Curator: Ah, yes, this is the title page for "Amelia, of de hertog van Foix, treurspel," a play by J. Nomsz, dating back to 1784. It’s a print housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: You know, my first thought wasn't of theatrical tragedy but of busy hands crafting something precious. The delicate engraving lines, almost like lace woven with ink. It’s folksy. Curator: I see what you mean. The overall style reminds me a bit of baroque, even if in a scaled-down form. Look at the figures clustered at the bottom, surrounding what seems to be some sort of altar or tomb. There is text below as well… I wonder what significance they hold. Editor: Probably moralizing commentary, popular at the time for framing tragedy. And look at the materials themselves, the paper and the engraving ink. You have to wonder about the engraver’s experience and their position within the publishing house where this was created, I’d wager the work on that illustration wasn’t allocated based on creativity. Curator: Perhaps… Still, I get a feeling, looking at the playful figures entwining the central image of the tomb, like children around death in spring, weaving garlands against the inevitable. There's a real tension, maybe even beauty. It's a reminder that tragedy, in its theatrical telling, often comes wrapped in a sort of… ornament. Editor: I agree with that sentiment entirely! And think of how accessible print made theatrical productions during that period! This object provided accessibility for the theater beyond an aristocratic environment Curator: Exactly. This one small page gives such insights. Thanks for sharing your perspective, very insightful! Editor: Likewise! Until the next reveal.