Overlijden van prins Willem IV, 1751 1756 - 1758

Curator: Let’s take a closer look at "Overlijden van prins Willem IV, 1751" an engraving crafted between 1756 and 1758 by Simon Fokke, found here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the overwhelming sadness. It’s there in the hunched shoulders, the covered faces – but it is visually a very controlled sadness, constrained by the linearity and geometric structure. Curator: Yes, Fokke captures not only the grief surrounding the death of Prince William IV but also the structured social norms and political context of the time. The work operates as both a memorial and a commentary on power, succession, and national identity within the Dutch Golden Age. Editor: And the technique itself – engraving – feels deeply intertwined with that context. It's a meticulous, labour-intensive process, suited for producing numerous images and spreading political messaging amongst the population. I imagine the creation of the print also involved collaboration and skilled craftsmanship in a workshop environment, emphasizing a sense of collective work. Curator: Absolutely. The engraving allows for widespread distribution of this imagery, solidifying the prince's legacy but also reinforcing the power structures of the period. The clear delineation between classes, mourning etiquette, and performance of grief becomes quite pronounced upon viewing it with a critical lens. Note the emphasis on textiles as well. The bed drapery in particular catches my attention because it suggests the Prince's status in this moment of vulnerability and as something untouchable even after his death. Editor: Precisely! And think about the copper plate that Fakke used. A common material for engraving but an increasingly politicized substance at that point due to global trade routes of raw materials. Curator: Seeing it this way makes me wonder about the power dynamics that shape both historical memory and the artwork's materiality. Editor: It reveals how deeply interwoven those themes are, offering glimpses into past structures through present reflections on material realities and historical significance.