Portret van koningin Wilhelmina en prins Hendrik Possibly 1912 - 1931

This photograph of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik was made by Herman Deutmann. It’s quite formal, right? But I like to think about what’s behind that formality, and how the artist made it. The tones are muted sepia. It’s printed on card and the surface has a soft, almost velvety texture. It’s easy to forget the physical work involved in making photographs, all the layering of chemicals and light. It’s an image built from process. Look at the patterned carpet, then the floral detail on the chair. It’s a celebration of ornament. I’m reminded of the interiors you see in the paintings of Vuillard. He used patterns to flatten space, to bring the background forward. Here, Deutmann creates a dialogue between background and foreground that really sings. Like all art, this photograph speaks in a language of its own.