Optocht voor het Paleis op de Dam, 1874 1874

This print, made by K. Ferdinandus in 1874, shows a procession in front of the Palace on Dam Square. It was made using a technique called engraving. The image is carved into a metal plate, and the ink held in these lines creates the picture. Look closely, and you’ll notice the sheer amount of labor that went into this print. Each line meticulously etched, cross-hatched, and layered to create tone and texture. The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper gives the image a crisp, graphic quality. The precision of the engraving allows for an incredible level of detail, from the architecture of the Palace to the figures in the crowd. Engraving was a process often used to reproduce images for mass consumption in the 19th century. Recognizing the skills and time involved helps us appreciate the value placed on skilled craftsmanship, particularly in the service of disseminating information and imagery to a wider audience. It challenges our notions of art as solely individual expression.