Optocht "De Nassau's in de Nederlanden." ( 1 September 1888, Amsterdam.) 1888

Hendrik Verlint's lithograph, "The Nassau's in the Netherlands," from 1888, presents a layered tableau of a historical procession, rendered in sepia tones. The composition is strikingly linear, dividing the spectacle into stratified bands, each representing a different segment of the parade. The lithographic medium allows for a precise, almost documentary quality, yet the arrangement introduces a structural tension. By organizing the procession into distinct, horizontal registers, Verlint fragments the narrative flow, inviting us to consider each group as both part of a larger whole and as isolated components. This creates a sense of order and hierarchy, mirroring the social structure of the event itself. The repetition of figures and forms across these bands emphasizes a theme of collective identity. Ultimately, the formal structure of Verlint's lithograph challenges the conventional representation of historical events, inviting a deeper contemplation on how collective memory is constructed and visually communicated.