Proces-verbaal van de inhuldiging van koning Leopold I in Brussel, 1831 1831

This is a record of the inauguration of King Leopold I in Brussels, made in 1831 by an anonymous artist. In the context of post-Napoleonic Europe, and the Belgian Revolution of 1830, this legal document represents more than just a record; it signifies the birth of a nation and the crowning of its first monarch. Leopold, a German prince, was chosen to lead a newly independent Belgium. This document, with its formal script and official seals, encapsulates the hopes and dreams of a people yearning for self-determination. But it also raises questions. Who gets to write the narrative of a nation? Whose voices are included, and whose are marginalized in this carefully constructed image of unity? The document speaks volumes about power, legitimacy, and the narratives that shape our understanding of history. It reflects both the promise of a new era and the complexities inherent in building a national identity.