La mort / Du Duc de Berry. / Assassiné à Paris le 13 Février 1820 / De dood van den / Hertog van Berry. / Vermoord te Parys den 13 Februarius 1820 1800 - 1833

F. Holtkamp created this print depicting the death of the Duke of Berry in Paris in 1820. Notice the recurring motif of the stage or theatrical setting across several panels. The Duke’s assassination at the opera suggests a symbolic intersection of public spectacle and private tragedy. Consider how such a setting echoes the dramatic conventions found in classical tragedies, where pivotal events often unfold in highly stylized environments. Think, for instance, of ancient Greek dramas where the chorus and the setting amplify the emotional weight of the narrative. This theatrical framing enhances the emotional impact, drawing viewers into a shared experience of grief and horror. This print taps into a deep, collective memory, using recognizable visual cues to elicit a powerful emotional response. This association reflects a universal human tendency to frame significant events within a narrative structure, enhancing their emotional and psychological impact. The stage becomes a metaphor for life's stage, where personal dramas play out on a public scale.