Decoratie bij de Nieuwmarkt/Kloveniersburgwal voor de ontvangst van Willem III en Emma in Amsterdam 1879

Albert Greiner captured this view of Amsterdam with photography, a relatively new medium at the time. It shows preparations to welcome Willem III and Emma. Note the elaborate structure under construction, spanning the canal. You can see the wooden scaffolding needed to create this temporary monument, alluding to the immense labor involved. Flags and banners adorn the buildings, showcasing the city’s effort to present a festive face. Photography itself was becoming increasingly accessible, yet still required expertise in chemistry and optics. Greiner's choice of this medium speaks to a desire to document a specific moment in time, but also reflects photography's growing role in shaping public perception and memory. Consider the contrast between the detailed, almost documentary quality of the photograph, and the ephemeral nature of the event it depicts. By engaging with the materials and processes of photography, Greiner invites us to reflect on the intersection of labor, spectacle, and representation in the making of history.