Historische gekostumeerde optocht te Amsterdam bij het 25-jarige regeringsjubileum van koning Willem III in 1874 (plaat 17) 1874

Here is an anonymous drawing made in 1874, depicting a historical costumed parade in Amsterdam, celebrating the 25th anniversary of King Willem III's reign. The artwork is defined by its linear quality, with fine strokes creating forms that seem almost ephemeral against the light background. This emphasizes the spectacle of the parade, with each figure and horse delineated with precision, creating a frieze-like composition. The anonymous artist uses line to convey detail, texture, and movement, which is crucial in capturing the dynamic quality of a parade. The repetition of figures and their costumes hints at structuralism and a deeper cultural encoding, which allows the artwork to become a signifier of Dutch national identity. The parade, as represented, is not merely an event but a carefully constructed display of power, tradition and historical memory. Note how the strategic use of line directs the eye across the panorama, inviting us to consider the parade’s choreography and its function as a display of social and political order.