Programma van de begrafenis van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden, op 4 december 1890 Possibly 1890

This is an anonymous program from December 4th, 1890, printed on paper, detailing the funeral arrangements for King Willem III of the Netherlands. Consider what it meant to live in a time governed by monarchy. Willem III was a figurehead, a symbol of Dutch identity and power. This document isn't just a schedule of events, it’s a carefully constructed narrative, dictating how the nation would collectively mourn and remember their king. What does it mean to orchestrate grief on a national scale? Who is included and excluded in this performance of mourning? The program lays out a strict order of events, underscoring the rigid social hierarchies of the time, from the procession route to the seating arrangements in the Nieuwe Kerk. It offers a glimpse into the rituals and customs that reinforced social order. As you look at this piece, reflect on the power structures embedded in such ceremonies, and how they shape our understanding of nationhood and identity. This program asks us to reflect on how collective memory is manufactured and maintained.