Utrechtse maskerade, plaat a: de adel, 1856 1856

This print of the ‘Utrechtse Maskerade’ was made in 1856 by an anonymous artist, and it pictures a parade of noblemen on horseback. The buildings behind them are in the Dutch style, so we are likely in the Netherlands. This image invokes the history of Dutch nobility. Consider how nobility had lost much of its power by the 19th century in the face of rising merchant classes and new political ideals. The artist might be commenting on the social changes of his own time, using nostalgia for the past. This nostalgia reflects conservative values; a longing for a hierarchical social structure in which the nobility maintained its status. To better understand this artwork, we can consider the socio-political context of 19th-century Netherlands. Economic structures, political movements, and relevant institutional histories can offer insight into the meaning of this art. The interpretation of art is contingent on social and institutional context.