Twee prentbriefkaarten van een bezoek van koningin Wilhelmina aan Leeuwarden c. 1905 - 1925

Editor: So, here we have "Twee prentbriefkaarten van een bezoek van koningin Wilhelmina aan Leeuwarden"—or "Two postcards of Queen Wilhelmina's visit to Leeuwarden"—likely taken sometime between 1905 and 1925, created by Jos Nuss & Co., in print. They offer a glimpse into a bygone era; I am struck by how carefully posed they appear and slightly rigid. What feelings or perspectives does this evoke for you? Curator: These postcards whisper tales of a nation finding its footing in a new century. The rigid poses, as you observed, almost feel like societal performance – everyone aware of their role in documenting a moment of national pride. It's funny, isn’t it? How photography, meant to capture reality, so quickly became a tool for constructing it. Look at the second image; notice how the crowd is lined up almost like players in a theater? Editor: It really does look like a theatrical production! So much formality! Was this indicative of Dutch society at the time? Curator: Indeed! This careful choreography tells us volumes about Dutch society’s values back then: the importance of the monarchy, the strong sense of civic duty, and the collective desire for progress. Now, think about how postcards themselves function, these small snapshots circulated, reinforcing those ideals across communities… Have a look to how these moments are constructed. Can we compare these black and white images with modern 'selfies' and influencers? Editor: I guess there is some parralels, although it feels a bit forced... It's quite the contrast! This has been incredibly insightful. It makes me rethink my perspective of what's recorded and shared as documentation of social culture, then and now. Curator: Exactly! Art—even seemingly simple postcards—has a knack for echoing our own reflections on our shared cultural story and its trajectory.