Gekostumeerde optocht van 1841: koning en geestelijken (blad IV) 1841

This anonymous print from 1841, at the Rijksmuseum, presents a costumed procession rendered with delicate watercolors on paper. The composition is starkly linear, dividing the scene into distinct zones. The eye is drawn along the horizontal line of the parade, from the regal figure at the front to the receding line of clergymen. Note how the artist contrasts textures. The rough fabric of the flag bearer's tunic plays against the smooth, flowing robes of the clergy. This juxtaposition destabilizes any singular reading of power, suggesting a more complex social dynamic. The uniformity of the clergymen’s robes, rendered in cool whites and grays, provides a semiotic contrast to the king’s vibrant green and gold, highlighting his individual status. The work doesn't simply depict a historical event; it questions the very nature of hierarchy through its formal arrangement. Meaning arises not just from what is represented, but how the artist uses color and composition to suggest societal relationships.