Intrede en inhuldiging van koning Willem II te Amsterdam 27-28 november 1840 (omslag) 1840 - 1841

This printed leaflet, made in 1840 by Willem Charles Magnenat, commemorates the inauguration of King Willem II in Amsterdam. It is printed on thin paper, likely using a technique like lithography, which allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images and text. The choice of this printing method speaks to the increasing democratization of information during this period. Consider the contrast between this mass-produced leaflet and the elaborate, hand-painted commemorative artworks of earlier eras, which were only accessible to the wealthy elite. This printed image, in contrast, could be distributed widely, allowing a broader segment of the population to participate vicariously in the spectacle of royal power. While seemingly simple, the leaflet represents a shift in how information and propaganda were disseminated in the 19th century. It highlights the increasing influence of industrial production on culture, connecting artistic practices to broader social and political issues.