Begrafenis plegtigheid van wijlen H.M. de koningin weduwe der Nederlanden grootvorstinne van Rusland. 17 Maart 1865 1865

This print, made anonymously in 1865, shows the funeral procession of the Queen Dowager of the Netherlands. Its monochrome lithographic technique, involving the transfer of an image from stone to paper, lent itself to mass production, making it accessible to a broad public. Look closely, and you'll notice the painstaking detail used to depict the elaborate carriages, the precision of the marching soldiers, and the solemn expressions of the mourners. This reflects the cultural significance attached to royal events, highlighting the importance of tradition, hierarchy, and public display in 19th-century European society. The very act of creating and distributing such images serves as a reminder of the labor involved, from the skilled artisans who crafted the lithographic stones to the distributors who brought the images to market. Consider how this print underscores the relationship between art, commerce, and the construction of national identity.