Gefingeerd toneelaffiche voor een treurspel over het voorgenomen huwelijk van de voormalige koning Willem I, 1840 1840

This playbill, likely made in the Netherlands around 1840, advertises a fictional tragedy about the proposed marriage of former King Willem I. The handwriting is informal, suggesting it might have been produced and circulated outside of established theatrical institutions. The text hints at themes of betrayal and national identity, common in Dutch plays of the period, reflecting the country’s complex political landscape. Willem I’s unpopular decisions, particularly regarding the southern provinces, led to the Belgian Revolution. This playbill, whether through satire or earnest critique, engages with those social tensions. It attempts to mobilize public opinion by tapping into nationalistic sentiments. Further understanding requires exploring the history of Dutch theatre and the specific social contexts in which political drama was performed and received. Archival research into theatre censorship and popular political movements of the time could illuminate this playbill’s place within broader cultural debates. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.