Bulletin uit de Oranjezaal. 10 October Possibly 1793

Editor: This print, titled "Bulletin uit de Oranjezaal. 10 October", possibly from 1793, and held at the Rijksmuseum, strikes me as incredibly detailed given its size and the time it was made. The dense text in old Dutch feels quite formal, almost like an official announcement. What's your take on it? What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes! This isn't just ink on paper; it's a window into a very specific moment in history. The formality you perceive screams of courtly communication. Imagine it: word spreading like wildfire—royal gossip delivered with the gravitas of scripture. Editor: Gossip? Really? It seemed so official. Curator: Oh, darling, history is *always* gossip dressed in fancy clothes! Notice how carefully the injury is described – every detail scrutinized. It is more than just reporting, it is crafting a specific image to be consumed and shared by those within the Prince’s sphere of influence. Who's benefitting, would you say, from this… very detailed account? Editor: Hmm, I see your point. Highlighting how the prince nearly died, but didn't. How his arm now moves again... good for morale, maybe? Curator: Precisely! Consider this ‘Bulletin’ a PR release from another time, carefully weaving fact, reassurance and an undercurrent of hope into its narrative. The hand-lettering, thick and decisive, underscores the significance of each carefully chosen word. Editor: I would never have thought about it that way. It seems more than just pretty hand-lettering and language, now. There's intent behind every single word in the flyer! Curator: Indeed! A vital reminder that art and communication often dance together and, darling, everything—even a simple newsletter—is infused with human intentions and… hidden agendas!