Oud-Hollandsch moed en trouw, / Is nimmermeer bezweken, / Doch nooit zoo schoon als thans, / Voor heel Euroop' gebleken 1832 - 1850

This print, made by W. & J. Hissink, features an entire poem rendered in a typeface composed of tiny human figures, all in red, yellow and blue. The effect is extraordinary, a tour-de-force of the printing press. The words march along the page, quite literally. Each letter is formed by a group of miniature people, some standing at attention, others gesticulating to form a curve or serif. The amount of work involved in creating this calls attention to the labor and the process of production. There is also a playful sense of trompe-l'oeil here, as we are asked to imagine a whole population involved in the act of communication. The materiality of this piece is inextricably linked to its message, as it celebrates not just the text, but also the collective effort required to bring it into being. It bridges the divide between the fine and the functional, inviting us to appreciate the artistry embedded in everyday print.