Draagboeket aangeboden aan prinses Maria door de Luxemburgse dames, 1878 1879 - 1880

This print depicts a gift offered to Princess Maria by the ladies of Luxembourg in 1878. What interests me most is the meticulous craftsmanship it represents. Look at the original text describing the object: every detail, from the tiny diamonds to the carefully arranged flowers, speaks to a desire to impress. And it's not just about luxury, but about skill. Someone, or more likely several someones, had to laboriously cut the diamonds, arrange the bouquet, and assemble the holder. Consider the social context. This was a gift from the women of Luxembourg, suggesting collective work and contribution. It implies their commitment to nationhood, aligning themselves with the House of Orange. The print itself, made using reproductive technologies, would have circulated the image of this gift, amplifying the original act of making and reinforcing the desired message. The materials and their handling are, in effect, the message. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images have a story to tell about class, labor, and national identity.