Uitnodiging voor de begrafenis van Johanna Magdalena Schnetzler before 1843

This invitation to a funeral in Amsterdam, printed in 1843, serves as a window into the social rituals and class distinctions of the time. While seemingly simple, such printed ephemera were important tools of social networking and status maintenance in the 19th century. The design itself, with its formal typography and layout, reflects the solemnity of the occasion, but also the social standing of the deceased, Johanna Magdalena Schnetzler, widow of Jean Bernard. The invitation specifies the route of the funeral procession from Kalverstraat to the Oude Kerk, a detail that speaks to the visibility and public nature of mourning rituals. Was this a way to be seen publicly grieving? The status of the family within the community is further emphasized by the mention that carriers of the coffin were needed. Understanding the social history of 19th-century Amsterdam, including its class structures, religious practices, and traditions of public mourning, helps us to interpret the cultural significance of this seemingly humble printed invitation. Details gleaned from genealogical records, newspapers, or parish archives would further illuminate the lives and social standing of the Schnetzler and Bernard families.