Lyk-staetsie van zyne doorluchtigste Hoogheid den Heere Willem Carel Hendrik Friso, Prince van Orange en Nassau (...) gehouden den IV. Februari 1752, 1755 1755

This book, published in 1755, commemorates the funeral of William IV, Prince of Orange. It’s bound in marbled paper, a process of floating inks on a liquid surface, then transferring the swirling patterns to the paper. Considered a decorative craft, marbling like this was especially popular in the 18th century, used for endpapers and book covers. It gave a unique, almost luxurious feel to printed material, but without the expense of bespoke design. Each sheet is unique, yet the method allows for efficient production. You get the effect of artistry, but at scale. The very texture of the cover evokes the complexities of Dutch society at the time, a blend of commerce, craft, and aristocratic power. Appreciating the making of such an object allows us to move beyond the usual categories of art history, and think more expansively about visual culture.