Ere-escorte van Amsterdamse burgers bij de troonsbestijging van koningin Wilhelmina, voor het Rijksmuseum te Amsterdam 1898

Albert Greiner created this photograph of the escort of Amsterdam citizens during Queen Wilhelmina’s inauguration, in front of the Rijksmuseum, using a sepia-toned albumen print. The composition is striking; ranks of horsemen form dense horizontal lines, with vertical trees in the background, creating a structured visual rhythm. The monochromatic palette emphasizes texture and form. The linear arrangement of the escort and the use of tonal variations creates an atmosphere of solemnity and order. Greiner’s approach to the subject matter reflects a formal concern with the aesthetics of procession. The photograph’s structure may be interpreted through the lens of semiotics. The horsemen and their alignment operate as signs within a codified system, communicating values of civic duty and national pride. The photograph invites reflection on how constructed representations, such as this ceremonial event, negotiate the dynamics of power, collective identity, and the spectacle of monarchy.