Transport van het borstbeeld van Michiel de Ruyter naar de Kweekschool voor de Zeevaart te Amsterdam, 1819 1819

This print by A. Lutz from 1819, captures the pomp and circumstance of a statue’s transport in Amsterdam. The lithographic process used here – printing from a flat stone – was relatively new at the time. This allowed for detailed lines and subtle gradations of color, perfectly suited to depicting the architecture and the reflections on the water. But let’s consider the social significance of this image. It commemorates the movement of a bust of Michiel de Ruyter, a famous admiral, to a naval academy. Notice the collective effort involved: not just the artist and printer, but also the crowds lining the canals, the rowers propelling the boats, and the sculptor who originally fashioned the bust. Each contributes to a narrative of national pride and maritime power. Ultimately, this print speaks to the way images can be mobilized to shape public memory and celebrate shared values, blurring the lines between art, craft, and the construction of national identity.