Portret van koningin Wilhelmina in haar bruidskleding van het Parijse modehuis Nicaud 1897

This is a photographic portrait of Queen Wilhelmina in her wedding dress, made by Herman Deutmann. What I find striking here is the relationship between photography and fashion, both highly industrialized processes by the late 19th century. The queen’s dress, made by the Parisian fashion house Nicaud, would have involved teams of seamstresses, each performing specialized tasks. Think of the division of labor that went into the lace, the embroidery, the very cut of the fabric. Deutmann’s photograph, too, would have involved complex chemistry, a specialized lens, and darkroom work. Consider how the tonal range captures the textures of the gown. The image is also a reminder that even royal garments are the product of labor, reflecting complex economics and social dynamics. Looking closely allows us to consider the many hands involved in creating this portrait of power and elegance.