Dam te Amsterdam met in het midden Naatje (het Monument ter herinnering aan de Volksgeest van 1830-1831) before 1859

This photograph captures the Dam Square in Amsterdam, featuring the monument commemorating the national spirit of 1830-1831; it was made by Pieter Oosterhuis. The image's composition draws the eye to the monument, a slender vertical form that punctuates the horizontal expanse of the square and buildings behind. The repetitive architectural facades create a rhythmic backdrop, emphasizing the monument's central position and symbolic importance. The photograph is composed of two identical side-by-side images; the stereograph was an early technique that created a perception of depth when viewed through a special viewer. Oosterhuis has skillfully used the stereograph to explore ideas around representation and perception, inviting a deeper engagement with the monument’s cultural significance. The choice to capture a public monument through the lens of a stereograph suggests an effort to democratize access to national symbols. The formal qualities and stereographic technique transform a static monument into a dynamic symbol that resonates with broader discussions about national identity and representation.