Historische optocht bij het tweede eeuwfeest van de Utrechtse Hogeschool, 1836 (plaat 10) 1837

Victor Adam made this print in 1836, commemorating the second centenary of Utrecht University. The print depicts a historical procession, referencing different periods of the university’s history. By the nineteenth century, universities had become important symbols of national identity and historical continuity. Looking at this print we can ask what the role of educational institutions has been in shaping cultural memory and national identity. The artist presents the procession as an orderly parade of historical figures. The print suggests a linear and progressive view of history, with the university playing a central role. To better understand this, we can consult archives, university records, and historical accounts of the celebration. The meaning of art, as this print demonstrates, is contingent on social and institutional context. The historian’s task is to reveal that context and to consider the politics of imagery.