Gedenkplaat ter ere van de inhuldiging van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden, in de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam op 6 september 1898 1898 - 1949

This commemorative print celebrating Wilhelmina's inauguration in 1898, is by an anonymous artist. It's monochromatic and full of tiny details; it’s like the artist is determined to include everything they possibly can. Look at how the artist uses this almost obsessive mark making to make up the whole image, from the portraits of past rulers to the inauguration scene, which brings a feeling of overwhelming grandeur. There's a real commitment to materiality that I find so interesting; I want to know what kind of pen they used. There is so much going on, but notice how the portraits at the top of the image are framed with a similar weight and importance to the views of Amsterdam lower down. It’s this quality of attention that makes me think of the work of someone like Henri Darger, who similarly had an incredible commitment to detail. For me, this piece embraces its ambiguities and multiple perspectives.