Aanspreker 1806

This hand-colored etching titled 'Aanspreker' was created by Ludwig Gottlieb Portman, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. It depicts a 'aanspreker', or undertaker, informing a woman of a death. The image provides insight into the social customs surrounding death and mourning in the Netherlands at the time. The formal attire of the 'aanspreker' and the woman's reaction reflect the expected decorum and emotional display associated with death announcements. The location, a well-kept home, speaks to the economic status of those involved, perhaps suggesting a society where death rituals were stratified by class. The etching's small size and detailed execution indicate it may have been part of a series or book, intended for a middle-class audience keen on observing and understanding social rituals. To fully appreciate this work, we can consult period sources, such as etiquette manuals and funeral accounts, in order to more fully comprehend the social significance of death and mourning rituals in the Dutch Republic.