Historische optocht bij het tweede eeuwfeest van de Utrechtse Hogeschool, 1836 (plaat 7) 1837

Victor Adam created this lithograph, "Historische optocht bij het tweede eeuwfeest van de Utrechtse Hogeschool, 1836," in 1836. Its panoramic view presents a procession as a series of structured groupings. The composition unfolds linearly, each contingent meticulously spaced, offering a study in pattern and variation. Adam masterfully employs line to define form, from the soldiers' rigid ranks to the billowing flags, contrasting with the organic shapes of the horses. The lithographic technique gives the work a textural depth, emphasizing the materiality of the scene. The arrangement reflects a deep investment in the representational codes of power and history. Each grouping, while part of the whole, maintains its distinct character through subtle variations in posture and accoutrements. This suggests a semiotic system where each element contributes to a collective narrative, challenging static interpretations of historical events. Adam's structured rendering invites us to decode the layers of meaning inherent in its arrangement.