Samenspraak tussen de oude duit en de nieuwe cent, ca. 1816 1816

Made around 1816 by D. Porcelijn, this print presents a dialogue between an old 'duit' coin and a new 'cent'. The stark contrast of black ink on a light ground immediately catches the eye, and the text is arranged symmetrically, flanked by delicate floral patterns. The overall impression is one of order and balance, yet the animated discussion hints at underlying tensions. The formal structure mirrors the content, with the old coin and new cent representing opposing viewpoints. Note how the typeface varies subtly, perhaps to distinguish the voices. This visual contrast underscores a deeper semiotic play, where currency becomes a signifier of value, tradition, and change. The dialogue itself destabilizes fixed meanings. The work prompts questions about the shifting economic and social landscape of the time. Ultimately, the print’s formal composition—its careful arrangement of text and image—functions as a framework for understanding broader cultural anxieties around value and modernity. It's a dynamic conversation frozen in print, inviting us to consider how meanings evolve.