Zilversmid in de nagebouwde stad Oud-Holland op de Wereldtentoonstelling voor het Hotel- en Reiswezen van 1895 1895

Jan Hoynck van Papendrecht made this pencil drawing of a silversmith at the 1895 World Fair in Amsterdam. But this wasn't just any silversmith; he was part of a constructed "Old Holland" showcasing idealized Dutch traditions. The image reveals much about the cultural and economic forces at play. World Fairs were displays of national progress, but also arenas for constructing national identity. Here, the silversmith, dressed in historical garb, wasn't just practicing a craft; he was performing Dutch heritage for an international audience. The "Old Holland" exhibit becomes a curated spectacle, a nostalgic nod to a romanticized past that conveniently glossed over the complexities of Dutch history. To truly understand this drawing, we delve into the archives of the World Fair, examining promotional materials and visitor accounts. We need to ask, who was this performance of "Old Holland" for? What social and political needs did it serve? Ultimately, this drawing is a window into the making of cultural memory.