Gezicht op het standbeeld van Willem van Oranje door Louis Royer op het Plein in Den Haag 1870

This stereoscopic photograph shows a sculpture of Willem van Oranje in The Hague. Although the artist is anonymous, we know the statue itself was designed by Louis Royer. This photographic print would have been made using a camera, a relatively new technology at the time, and is therefore of its time. The process involves capturing light on a sensitized surface, then developing it using chemicals to reveal the image. What’s particularly interesting is that we see a sculpture *of* a sculpture! The statue of Willem van Oranje is likely made of bronze or stone, traditional materials for public monuments. Consider the labor involved in creating both the statue and the photograph: the sculptor’s skill in shaping the figure, and the photographer's expertise in capturing the image. Each relies on different processes and aesthetic conventions, yet both contribute to how we understand and commemorate historical figures. By considering the materials, making processes, and social context of both statue and image, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex layers of meaning embedded within this artwork.