Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Otto Eerelman in 1899.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Biedermeier.

Untitled by Otto Eerelman (1899) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

You see a long, crowded street filled with people in old-fashioned clothes, horses pulling carriages, and tall buildings in the background.

You see a long, crowded street filled with people in old-fashioned clothes, horses pulling carriages, and tall buildings in the background.

This painting shows a real event—the royal procession when Queen Wilhelmina became the ruler of the Netherlands in 1898. The artist didn’t sign it, so we don’t know who made it, but it looks a lot like another painting of the same scene by Otto Eerelman. Maybe it’s a copy, or maybe someone else saw the same moment and painted it too.

To see the other version of this scene, look up the Rijksmuseum.

Overview

The canvas captures the royal procession that took place in Amsterdam on 5 September 1898, when the young Queen Wilhelmina and her mother, Queen‑Regent Emma, arrived by train at Weesperpoort station. The painting records the crowd moving toward the palace on Dam Square, with the Palace of National Industry visible in the distance.

Subject & Meaning

The work documents a historic moment in Dutch monarchy: the transition from regency to the coronation of the eighteen‑year‑old queen. By portraying the bustling street, the artist emphasizes the public’s participation in the ceremony and the civic pride surrounding the new sovereign’s investiture.

Technique & Style

Executed in a realistic manner, the painting presents a densely populated avenue filled with period dress, horse‑drawn carriages, and towering façades. The composition leads the eye from the foreground crowd toward the architectural backdrop, employing careful detail to convey the scale of the event.

History & Provenance

Although unsigned, the work is attributed to Otto Eerelman (1839–1926) based on stylistic similarities to his known version of the same scene. It appears to have been created without a formal commission. In 1900, a group of art enthusiasts presented the painting to the Rijksmuseum as a donation.

Context

The procession occurred the day before Queen‑Regent Emma’s abdication and the formal investiture of Queen Wilhelmina in the New Church. The event was a focal point of national attention, and multiple artists recorded it, reflecting its significance in the cultural memory of the Netherlands.

Artist & collection

Artist

Otto Eerelman

Wilhelmina (Dutch pronunciation: ; Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria; 31 August 1880 – 28 November 1962) was Queen of the Netherlands from 1890 until her abdication in 1948.