Aankomst van de lijkstoet van Jan van Speijk op de Dam, 1832 1832

This print, made in 1832 by an anonymous artist, depicts the arrival of Jan van Speijk’s funeral procession at Dam Square. It’s an engraving, a process involving considerable skill. The design is incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed. Note how the sharp lines of the architecture contrast with the solemn procession. This effect is entirely dependent on the graphic nature of the medium, so different from painting. Engraving was essential for mass communication in the 19th century, reproducing images for books and newspapers. In this instance, it memorializes a Dutch naval hero, Van Speijk, who sacrificed himself to prevent his ship from falling into Belgian hands during the secession of Belgium from the Netherlands. Consider the amount of labor that went into producing this print, and how this medium helped disseminate nationalistic sentiment. The act of making itself participates in a wider political context.