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Poster for Vondel's play Lucifer
Coloured lithograph, 127 cm x 75 cm, by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, 1910
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
 

Joost van den Vondel's tragedy Lucifer was first performed in 1654, based on the biblical story of the archangel’s fall from grace. The play delves into themes of pride, ambition, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, with Lucifer depicted as a tragic figure consumed by his desire to rival God. The performance advertised in the poster took place in 1911 at the N.V. Het Toneel, directed by Willem Royaards. Hubert Cuyper’s music underscored the drama’s spiritual tension, while the set and costume design by Holst infused the production with Symbolist and Art Nouveau elements. This collaboration marked a high point in early 20th-century Dutch theatre, blending classical text with avant-garde theatrical artistry.