Wapenschouwing door Koningin Wilhelmina op de heide bij Renkum Possibly 1898 - 1899

Joh. H. Holm captured this photograph of Queen Wilhelmina in Renkum, using the then-innovative technology of gelatin silver print. Photography in this era represented a significant shift in how we document the world. Unlike painting or sculpture, it offered a seemingly objective record, shaped by mechanical and chemical processes. The gelatin silver process, in particular, allowed for mass production of images, making visual information more accessible than ever before. Consider how this technology impacts the scene depicted. The photograph captures a military review, a display of power and order. The very act of photographing it, disseminating it widely, amplifies the spectacle. It transforms a local event into a piece of national imagery, contributing to the construction of identity and the reinforcement of social hierarchies. The photograph thus acts as a fascinating intersection of technology, power, and representation, reflecting the social and political landscape of its time. This challenges our understanding of the work, blurring the lines between art, documentation, and social commentary.