Nationaal Cadeau geschonken aan prinses Marie bij haar huwelijk in 1871 1871

This lithograph by P. Blommers, made in the Netherlands in 1871, depicts the ‘National Gift’ presented to Princess Marie upon her marriage. The print captures a richly ornamented book resting on an elaborate pedestal. The 'National Gift' symbolizes the consolidation of the Dutch national identity. This gift, presented during a royal wedding, served to connect the monarchy with the people, reinforcing national unity. The choice of a book as the ‘National Gift’ speaks to the cultural values placed on knowledge, history, and tradition during this period. Examining such works through their social context reveals the ways in which cultural products can shape national identity and political messaging. Accessing archives, historical accounts, and studies of Dutch royal history, will enhance our understanding of the symbolic weight carried by this lithograph. It allows us to see art as embedded in a network of social and institutional relations.