Historische verhaal van de stadhouders van Willem I tot Willem V, 1782 1782

This print was made in 1782 by Daniel van Lith de Jeude, likely using etching or engraving to transfer ink to paper. This was not fine art as such, but a means of circulating information. Consider the material. Paper was relatively cheap by this point, a product of industrializing mills, but it still lent a sense of authority. And think about the labor involved; a skilled craftsman would have been needed to create the printing plate. The text offers a historical narrative of the Dutch Stadtholders from Willem I to Willem V, presented within an elaborate arched framework. The sheer density of text suggests the intention to present a comprehensive overview of Dutch history and leadership, appealing to an increasingly literate public hungry for knowledge and civic engagement. The print testifies to the growth of a print culture, fueled by capitalism and new modes of production. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can tell complex stories about labor, politics, and consumption.