Historische gekostumeerde optocht te Amsterdam bij het 25-jarige regeringsjubileum van koning Willem III in 1874 (plaat 14) 1874

This lithograph depicts a historical costumed parade in Amsterdam celebrating the 25th anniversary of King Willem III's reign in 1874. Although the artist remains anonymous, this print offers insight into the processes of mass media and social life in the late 19th century. Lithography, the printmaking process used here, relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. An image is drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, and then printed using ink that adheres to the drawing but not the wet areas. The material qualities of lithography allow for detailed line work, evident in the rendering of the paraders' costumes and banners. This print reflects the rise of mass media and print culture, making such celebrations accessible to a wider public, and shows how images like this helped construct a shared national identity.