Gezicht over het IJ tijdens de Keizersfeesten in Amsterdam 1891

Johanna Margaretha Piek captured this view of Amsterdam’s IJ river during the Keizersfeesten using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Photography, emerging in the 19th century, democratized image-making, providing a means to document everyday life and cultural events. This image is one of a series of works Folio CR belonging to the Rijksprentenkabinet, the national collection of prints and drawings, of which there is very little documentary information. It presents a scene of celebration. The photograph's monochromatic palette, inherent in early photographic processes, mutes the festive atmosphere, giving the scene a somewhat subdued tone. The image’s soft focus and gentle tonal gradations create an ethereal quality, typical of historical photographs. The process emphasizes the indexical relationship between the camera and the world, making photography a powerful tool for witnessing social and cultural events.