Hollandsche Spectator
Encyclopedia
The Hollandsche Spectator (lit. "Dutch Spectator") was an important Dutch language
newspaper
(or an early magazine
) of the Enlightenment
period.
It was founded by Justus van Effen
, who was inspired by the British Spectator
of Joseph Addison
and Richard Steele
. Justus van Effen was a government official, author and translator, and had previous experience as a publisher of several French-language magazines (Le Misanthrope (1711-1712) - a widely read journal referred to as "the first moralist periodical on the continent", Le Bagatelle (1718-1719), and Le Spectateur Français (1725)).
The Hollandsche Spectator was published in Amsterdam
by Uytwerf Hermanus. It first appeared weekly, then twice a week. About 360 editions were published between August 20, 1731, and April 8, 1735. Effen's death in 1735 was soon followed by the closure of the newspaper. However, it has inspired dozens of successors.
It was one of the most notable papers inspired by The Spectator, in which the spectator, literally "observer", is the mask behind which the author hides his views; often the anonymous authors claimed that he is not a person but a group. The topics of the Hollandsche Spectator consisted of everything that would interest a coffeehouse
audience: politics, religion and morality, fashion, and humor. Socially conservative, written in a pleasing tone and style, it raised important questions, such as the reasons behind the Dutch Republic's waning position on the international scene, and served as literary and moral guide for the emerging Dutch bourgeoisie
. It also opened the market for newspapers and magazines in the Dutch language
.
The publishing of the Hollandsche Spectator is considered one of the most valuable achievements of the late 18th-century Dutch literature
, and an inspiration to much Dutch journalism and literature.
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
(or an early magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
) of the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
period.
It was founded by Justus van Effen
Justus van Effen
Justus van Effen was a Dutch author, who wrote chiefly in French but also made crucial contributions to Dutch literature. A journalist, he imitated The Spectator with the publication of Dutch language Hollandsche Spectator...
, who was inspired by the British Spectator
The Spectator (1711)
The Spectator was a daily publication of 1711–12, founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in England after they met at Charterhouse School. Eustace Budgell, a cousin of Addison's, also contributed to the publication. Each 'paper', or 'number', was approximately 2,500 words long, and the...
of Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison was an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician. He was a man of letters, eldest son of Lancelot Addison...
and Richard Steele
Richard Steele
Sir Richard Steele was an Irish writer and politician, remembered as co-founder, with his friend Joseph Addison, of the magazine The Spectator....
. Justus van Effen was a government official, author and translator, and had previous experience as a publisher of several French-language magazines (Le Misanthrope (1711-1712) - a widely read journal referred to as "the first moralist periodical on the continent", Le Bagatelle (1718-1719), and Le Spectateur Français (1725)).
The Hollandsche Spectator was published in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
by Uytwerf Hermanus. It first appeared weekly, then twice a week. About 360 editions were published between August 20, 1731, and April 8, 1735. Effen's death in 1735 was soon followed by the closure of the newspaper. However, it has inspired dozens of successors.
It was one of the most notable papers inspired by The Spectator, in which the spectator, literally "observer", is the mask behind which the author hides his views; often the anonymous authors claimed that he is not a person but a group. The topics of the Hollandsche Spectator consisted of everything that would interest a coffeehouse
Coffeehouse
A coffeehouse or coffee shop is an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages. It shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria. As the name suggests, coffeehouses focus on...
audience: politics, religion and morality, fashion, and humor. Socially conservative, written in a pleasing tone and style, it raised important questions, such as the reasons behind the Dutch Republic's waning position on the international scene, and served as literary and moral guide for the emerging Dutch bourgeoisie
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
. It also opened the market for newspapers and magazines in the Dutch language
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
.
The publishing of the Hollandsche Spectator is considered one of the most valuable achievements of the late 18th-century Dutch literature
Dutch literature
Dutch literature comprises all writings of literary merit written through the ages in the Dutch language, a language which currently has around 23 million native speakers...
, and an inspiration to much Dutch journalism and literature.
See also
- Dutch Enlightenment
- De Nederlandsche Spectator (1855–1860)
- The Spektator (1843–1850)
External links
- Hollandsche spectator, Volume 1; Volume 5, K. Van Tongerloo, 1756 (Google Print - public domain)