Artwork

The Inauguration of King William II in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam on 28 November 1840

The Inauguration of King William II in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam on 28 November 1840 is an oil painting by Nicolaas Pieneman. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, created in 1840 by Dutch artist Nicolaas Pieneman, documents a significant historical event: the inauguration of King William II at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam on November 28, 1840.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures the coronation ceremony of King William II, emphasizing the solemnity and grandeur of the occasion within a religious setting. The focus on the crowd's engagement and the dignitaries' attire highlights the social and political importance of the event.

Technique & Style

Pieneman employed chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth and drama, with the brightest light concentrated around the raised platform, gradually diminishing towards the back. The artist's attention to the facial expressions and gestures of the attendees adds vitality to the scene.

History & Provenance

Commissioned to commemorate the event, the painting was created the same year as the inauguration (1840). It is currently part of the Rijksmuseum's collection in Amsterdam.

Context

The Nieuwe Kerk, a prominent location for national ceremonies, provided a fitting backdrop for the inauguration. The painting reflects the intersection of religious and state affairs in 19th-century Netherlands.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolaas Pieneman

Nicolaas Pieneman (Dutch pronunciation: ; 1 January 1809 – 30 December 1860) was a Dutch painter, art collector, lithographer, and sculptor.

Museum

Rijksmuseum

Continue through works from the same source collection.