Intocht van koning Willem III te Amsterdam, 1874 1874

This print, showing King Willem III's entrance to Amsterdam in 1874, was made by an anonymous artist. It uses the technique of engraving, where an image is incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The fine lines and details achieved through engraving allowed for mass production of images like these, playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion and national identity. Notice how the texture of the crowd and the architectural details of the buildings are rendered with precision. This speaks to the skill of the engraver, who would have meticulously carved each line into the metal. Prints like this one were often commissioned to commemorate important events and circulate them widely. Consider the social context: the rise of mass media, and the way it allowed for the dissemination of royal imagery. By focusing on the material and the process of its making, we can see this print not just as a historical record, but as a product of its time, reflecting the intersection of art, technology, and social life.