Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1920 - 1926

Editor: Here we have Herman Deutmann's photograph, "Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden," dating from between 1920 and 1926. It’s a striking portrait, very regal of course, but almost… staged, in a way that makes her seem a bit distant. What do you see in this piece, especially considering the historical context? Curator: I see a careful construction of power, steeped in symbolism. Consider the ermine, the tiara, the sash – each a visual shorthand for monarchy, a deliberate performance of dynastic continuity. The photograph captures Wilhelmina during a period of great social change. How might the imagery used here function as a statement of stability and tradition in a changing world? Editor: That makes sense, the symbols reinforce tradition. It almost feels like the weight of the crown, and everything it stands for, is very tangible in this portrait. Curator: Exactly. But what about the background, that soft-focus blur? It is a stage, as you observed earlier. What emotional impact does this have, beyond simple regal authority? Is it distancing? Comforting? Is she framed against nothing but her own importance? Editor: It adds to the feeling of distance, I think. It’s as if she’s intentionally separated from the everyday world. So the photograph, as a whole, tells a very specific story about power and image. Curator: Precisely. The image actively engages with visual vocabularies related to power and history. Reflect on how portraiture, photography and regalia converge to solidify monarchy for both domestic audiences and collective global memory. Editor: That’s a completely different way of looking at it, thinking about the conscious choices and what they represent culturally and psychologically. I'll never see these royal portraits the same way!