Huwelijksaankondiging aan Philip Zilcken before 1907

This wedding announcement, made in 1900, is printed on paper, likely using a lithographic process. Notice the elegant, flowing script; this was achieved either by a highly skilled calligrapher, or by using a typeface that mimics handwriting. The very act of printing and distributing announcements like this speaks to a society increasingly defined by mass production and consumer culture. While the design evokes a sense of old-world gentility, the technology behind it belongs to the modern era. It suggests a world in which traditions are carefully maintained, even as the means of production are rapidly evolving. This piece shows how printing techniques were not only functional but also instrumental in shaping social rituals and perceptions of class. Paying attention to materials and processes allows us to consider how social values and technological changes are always intertwined. It challenges us to look beyond the surface appearance of objects and delve into the complex relationships between art, society, and modes of production.