Uitnodiging voor Romeyn de Hooghe voor de begrafenis van Josina de Hooghe before 1684

This is an invitation printed in 1684 by H. Magnus, inviting Romeyn de Hooghe to the funeral of Josina de Hooghe. As a seemingly simple announcement, this print is a fascinating document of social norms in the Dutch Republic. The careful typography speaks to the formal nature of social relationships in the 17th century. The invitation hints at the status of the deceased and her family, referencing her husband Jacob ten Grootenhuys’s civic position and the location of the service at the Zuiderkerk. Romeyn de Hooghe, the invitee, was himself a prominent and prolific artist. His presence would have been a significant honor. Understanding the culture of early modern Europe requires a close examination of printed matter like this, using resources such as genealogical records, municipal archives, and collections of engravings. The social life of art, like the lives of people, lies in the details.