Verklaring van de penning door Nikolaas van Swinderen geslagen op het overlijden van Anna van Hannover, prinses van Oranje-Nassau 1759

This is a printed explanation of a commemorative coin, created in 1759 by an anonymous artist. The stark contrast of dark lettering against the aged paper immediately conveys a sense of solemnity and historical distance, a starkness that evokes the gravity of its subject. The text is tightly arranged, divided into distinct blocks that create a structured, almost architectural layout. This formal arrangement mirrors the structured hierarchies of 18th-century society and knowledge. Each section methodically decodes the symbolic elements of the coin – the portrait, heraldic symbols, and allegorical figures. This semiotic approach invites us to see beyond the surface. The text directs our interpretation, emphasizing the coin's function as a tool to remember and mourn Anna van Hannover. The typography, with its mix of fonts and sizes, adds another layer to the structure. The different fonts highlight key phrases, guiding the reader through a hierarchy of meaning. It underscores how even in memorial, there is an attempt to control the narrative and preserve a particular image of power and legacy.