Serenade at the Tuileries on New Year's Eve, from "Illustrated London News" 1853

Eugène-Louis Lami created this print titled "Serenade at the Tuileries on New Year's Eve" for the "Illustrated London News." The image presents a scene of New Year's celebrations outside the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Reflect for a moment on the spectacle of the military band and the gathered crowd. What does it mean to display such pomp and ceremony? What power dynamics are at play when the monarchy displays their strength and splendor for the public’s consumption? Consider the era in which Lami created this image. This was a time of shifting social structures and growing public awareness. The print offers not just a snapshot of a celebration, but also a glimpse into the complex relationship between the monarchy and the people. Lami’s print invites us to reflect on how power is performed, and how these performances shape the collective identity and experience of a society.