Gedenkplaat bij het 25-jarige regeringsjubileum van koning Willem III 1849-1874 1874

Pieter van Looy created this commemorative print for King Willem III's 25th Jubilee between 1849 and 1874. Rendered with a delicate touch, its symmetrical design invites contemplation on themes of governance and societal progress. The composition unfolds as a series of vignettes, each framed within ornamental borders. At the apex, cherubic figures hover above portraits of the King and Queen. Below, scenes depict maritime activity, agricultural advancements, and industrious landscapes, which serve as allegories of prosperity and national strength. The central text, a poem, is framed by these images, which function as a celebration of the monarch's reign and a visual encoding of national identity. The choice of lithography lends a soft, almost ethereal quality to the print, enhancing its idealistic portrayal of the Kingdom. Note how Van Looy employs symmetry and balanced composition, underscoring the themes of order and stability associated with the monarchy. The very structure becomes a semiotic device, reinforcing the cultural and philosophical values of the time.