Historische gekostumeerde optocht te Amsterdam bij het 25-jarige regeringsjubileum van koning Willem III in 1874 (plaat 6) 1874

This anonymous print depicts the historical costumed parade in Amsterdam celebrating the 25th anniversary of King Willem III's reign in 1874. The composition arranges the procession across a wide, horizontal field. Linear precision defines the figures of horse riders and marching soldiers. Their repetition creates a rhythmic pattern, which suggests a structured order, and perhaps even a sense of national pride. The artist uses line as a primary element to detail the costumes and forms. Each figure is delineated with similar weight and style, emphasizing uniformity over individuality. The overall structure of the artwork, with its ordered lines and repetitive forms, can be seen as a semiotic system where each component signifies an element of state power and historical continuity. It invites us to consider how such displays reinforce structures of authority. The print's formal qualities serve not merely as an aesthetic representation, but also as a cultural document, engaging with broader discourses of power, representation, and historical narrative.