Begrafenis van Anna van Hannover in de Nieuwe Kerk te Delft, 1759 1760

Simon Fokke produced this print in 1759, depicting the funeral of Anna van Hannover in the Nieuwe Kerk at Delft. This somber scene captures not just a personal loss but also a moment of public mourning and the performance of power within the institutional setting of the church. Notice the architectural grandeur and the assembled figures, all meticulously rendered. The print provides insights into the cultural values of the Dutch Republic during the 18th century. Anna van Hannover was the wife of Prince William IV, and her funeral was a significant state event. The location in Delft, a city with strong ties to the House of Orange, further emphasizes the historical and political context. We can look at contemporary newspapers, pamphlets, and official records to understand the full implications of such events. In doing so, we come to understand the meanings embedded in this image as contingent upon social and institutional contexts.