Oproep om te illumineren ter gelegenheid van de doop van prins Willem V, 1748 1748

This is a printed announcement, made by Cornelis van Zanten in 1748, calling for the illumination of homes in The Hague to celebrate the baptism of Prince Willem V. Observe the stark contrast of the black ink against the off-white paper, creating a strong visual hierarchy, guiding the eye from the bold "PUBLICATIE" at the top to the finer details of the text below. Note how the artist uses scale and font variation to draw attention to key information, segmenting the page into distinct units. Consider the intricate details of the coat of arms and the decorative initial "D," these act as visual anchors, framing the central block of text. The systematic arrangement of the printed text echoes the formal structures inherent in systems of governance and communication. This interplay between form and function invites reflection on how printed media disseminates and reinforces power. The call to illuminate speaks not only to a celebration but also to the role of visual spectacle in consolidating authority.