Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden, en Juliana, koningin der Nederlanden 1909 - 1911

Editor: So, this is a print photograph from between 1909 and 1911, credited to Guy de Coral & Co., titled "Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden, en Juliana, koningin der Nederlanden". It’s quite charming actually, very formal and sweet. How do you see this work? Curator: From a materialist perspective, it’s fascinating to consider the albumen print process itself. Think about the layers involved: the glass plate negative, the laborious preparation of the paper with egg whites, the exposure to sunlight. Photography at this time wasn't a point-and-shoot affair; it was a craft, a complex chemical and social undertaking. How does knowing this context shift your perception? Editor: That's interesting! I was just seeing a portrait, but now I’m thinking about the labour that went into creating this image, not just from the photographer, but in gathering and treating the materials too. It feels less… spontaneous. Curator: Exactly. The consumption of these images, then, becomes intertwined with this material process. The image reinforces a particular notion of royalty – a formal portrait, made precious through labour and material expense. The 'historical photography' element makes us further appreciate the layers of choices that informed the process from the sitting to the shop and onwards. Does this add weight to its significance? Editor: Absolutely! I see it in a completely different way now, the photograph is more than just an image. The history and resources behind it tells an interesting story about material availability and the desire to produce a precious heirloom for circulation in Dutch society. Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on the means of production reveals how this portrait actively participates in constructing the narrative of the Dutch monarchy.