dbellingradt, 7 months ago

@histodons Paper is often only recognized when it is written upon or printed upon. Here, in the highlighted detail no. 1, a written piece of paper, neatly folded and full of information, is given from the notary to a client. This might be a letter, a contract, or a legal document; important is that this paper and the information stored on the paper held significance in the European administration practices running on paper and with paper. A paper move, like here, was often a power move.

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The painting A Notary in His Office from Jan Berckheyde is shown. A notary is sitting at his writing desk, and is surrounded by various paper products. Highlighted are 5 of these paper products.