Bewijs van Toegang bij Het Vuurwerk ter gelegenheid van de onthulling van het standbeeld van Lourens Janszoon Coster, te Haarlem, den 17den Julij 1856 1856

This is an admission ticket to the fireworks display for the unveiling of the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster in Haarlem on July 17, 1856. The anonymous artist has designed a formal structure that frames the event in a very specific way. The composition is dominated by text, arranged hierarchically to guide the eye. Ornate, symmetrical flourishes at the corners soften the rigidity, adding a touch of elegance and historical context. The muted color scheme, likely due to the printing limitations of the time, evokes a sense of historical distance, inviting viewers to consider the piece as a relic of a bygone era. Viewing this piece through a semiotic lens, we can see how the typography and decorative elements serve as signs. They collectively construct a message about civic pride and historical commemoration. The ticket functions not just as an invitation but as a symbol of status, granting access to an exclusive cultural event. It acknowledges the enduring relevance of Laurens Janszoon Coster as a cultural icon, a narrative that is perpetually reinterpreted through art.