Proclamatie van de Representanten van Amsterdam, 1795 Possibly 1795

This proclamation by Pieter Hendrik Dronsberg, printed in Amsterdam in 1795, is a striking example of early revolutionary print culture. Made from paper using printing press technology, it reflects a moment of profound social upheaval. Consider the material: paper, cheap and relatively abundant, made the mass dissemination of information possible. The text, printed in a clear, bold typeface, conveys a message of “Vryheid, Gelykheid, Broederschap”—Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood. The stark black ink on white ground underscores the declaration's urgency. This wasn’t calligraphy for a king, but propaganda for the people. The printing press itself was a technology of democratization. It allowed revolutionary ideas to circulate rapidly, fueling political change and challenging the old order. In this light, the Proclamation embodies the spirit of its age: a call for a new society, printed for mass consumption. It’s a document that speaks of revolution from the ground up.