Schip op het IJ tijdens de Keizersfeesten in Amsterdam 1891

Johanna Margaretha Piek made this gelatin silver print showing a ship during the Keizersfeesten in Amsterdam. Photography, like printmaking, is a fundamentally reproducible medium. This photomechanical process democratized image-making, severing it from the direct touch of the artist's hand. The photograph flattens our experience of the world. Yet, in the darkroom, the photographer regains control, manipulating variables like light and exposure. Consider the social context, too. The Keizersfeesten were celebrations of Dutch national identity. The ship in the photograph then becomes a symbol, not just of transportation or trade, but of the nation itself, carrying with it the weight of history and the promise of the future. By understanding the materials, processes, and social context of this photograph, we gain a richer appreciation for its artistic and cultural significance.