Kennisgeving wie verkozen zijn in de Raad van Leiden, 1842 1842 - 1849

This announcement of elected officials from 1842, printed by David Du Mortier & Zoon in Leiden, is a great example of how even the most functional objects can be appreciated for their making. This isn't fine art, of course. It’s a broadside, made to be distributed quickly and widely. But think about the process: each letter, each word, carefully set in lead, then inked and pressed onto paper. The texture of the paper itself, likely made from rags, would have played a role in the final appearance. The design is straightforward, all about clear communication, yet the layout, the choice of typeface, and the crest at the top all contribute to the message. While not a unique work of art, it reflects skilled labor and the technology available at the time, and a specific social need: to inform the public. It reminds us that even in mass production, there's a human element, a craft, that deserves our attention.