Sledevaart door het Leidse genootschap Veniam Pro Laude, 1776 1776

Simon Fokke etched this print in 1776, a detailed depiction of a sled procession by the Leiden society 'Veniam Pro Laude.' Visually, the artwork is structured into three distinct registers, each presenting a different segment of the parade. The composition is linear, emphasizing the procession's movement from left to right. Notice how Fokke employs fine, delicate lines to articulate the figures, costumes, and horses. The repetitive use of line creates a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the artwork. The print operates as a semiotic system, where each element signifies aspects of social status and civic pride. Costumes, banners, and the arrangement of figures are cultural codes reflecting the values of the Leiden society. Fokke’s engraving technique enhances the texture of fabrics and the musculature of the horses, adding depth to the print. The formal arrangement, the linear procession, becomes more than just an aesthetic choice; it is a statement about order, status, and the structured nature of social life in 18th-century Leiden.