Brief van de overwinning in de zeeslag bij Duins, gedrukt als een pamflet, 1639 1639

This news pamphlet, printed in the Hague in 1639 by Isaac Burchoorn, recounts the Dutch victory over the Spanish fleet. It’s a relatively ephemeral object, made using a printing press – a technology that was revolutionary for its time. The material is simple: paper made from pulped rags, and ink, likely oil-based, pressed onto the surface using moveable type. The texture of the paper is rough, and you can see the impression of the type in the surface. Look closely, and you’ll notice the dense columns of text, and the woodcut initials that mark the start of each section. The choice of printing reflects the growing importance of mass communication in the 17th century. News, propaganda, and official announcements could now be disseminated rapidly and widely. This particular pamphlet served to shape public opinion, celebrating a key moment in Dutch history. Pamphlets like this challenge our conventional ideas about art. They demonstrate how materials, making, and context combine to create meaning, and show how printing processes could be harnessed for political purposes.