Opdracht bij de serie platen van de begrafenis van prinses Maria Louise, 1765 19th century

This 1765 print on paper, made by an anonymous artist, is a dedication to the series of plates about the funeral of Princess Maria Louise. The elaborate heraldry across the top tells us a lot about the social and political context. This print was made in the Netherlands, a mercantile republic where powerful families held considerable sway. The crests and coats of arms displayed here point to a network of kinship, patronage, and influence that underpinned the Dutch political system. Such a display would signal status and legitimacy in a society where rank and privilege were closely guarded. To better understand this piece, we might look into the history of Dutch heraldry, the biographies of the figures mentioned in the dedication, and the political dynamics of the Dutch Republic in the 18th century. This artwork reminds us that even seemingly simple images can offer insights into complex social structures.