Versieringen (poortwerk) in Amsterdam ter gelegenheid van het 25-jarig regeringsjubileum van koning Willem III in 1874 1874

Pieter Oosterhuis created this photograph in 1874 to mark King Willem III's 25th year in power. The sepia tones and sharp lines of the architecture give the image a formal, almost dreamlike quality. Notice how the image uses perspective and architectural form to convey ideas of power and permanence. The photograph's central focus is the ornamented gate, a monumental structure with spires reaching skyward. This carefully constructed composition uses the gate as a signifier, effectively communicating themes of authority, stability, and national pride. The formal presentation, devoid of people, reinforces the idea of the state as an enduring, almost abstract entity. Consider how the artist uses the texture of the cobblestone to lead the viewer's eye towards this central structure. This creates a sense of depth and reinforces the gate's role as a focal point. It functions both aesthetically and symbolically to express a discourse on Dutch identity and royal authority.