Intrede van Willem V en Wilhelmina van Pruisen te Den Haag, 1767 1767

This print, made in 1767 by an anonymous artist, commemorates the ceremonial entry of Willem V and Wilhelmina of Prussia into The Hague. It’s an engraving, which means the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, and then printed onto paper. Look closely and you’ll see a dense network of fine lines, meticulously carved to create light and shadow. This wasn’t just about depicting a scene; it was a process that required tremendous skill and patience. Engraving was a crucial part of the print industry at this time, a kind of proto-mass media. The image itself becomes a document of labor and politics. It speaks to the growing commercialization of art and the role of skilled artisans in disseminating information. It's also a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the result of complex social and economic forces. Appreciating this print means acknowledging the labor involved and the wider context of its creation.