Optocht te Haarlem, 1872 (plaat 8) 1872

"Optocht te Haarlem, 1872" by Emrik & Binger presents a frieze-like parade rendered through meticulous lithography, capturing a moment of civic pageantry. The composition unfurls horizontally, populated by carriages and mounted figures that suggest a procession, with the rhythmic repetition of horses and wheels creating a visual cadence. The artists play with color to differentiate the figures and enhance the sense of depth, employing a limited palette where the reds of uniforms and carriages punctuate the scene. This careful use of color emphasizes the constructed nature of the image, guiding the viewer's eye through the visual field. The print flattens perspective to create a tableau effect, akin to classical reliefs, where the emphasis is on profile and contour. It explores how representation can articulate power and social order, while its careful articulation of form and surface invites us to reflect on the nature of spectacle itself.