H.R.I.H. the crown princess of Germany before 1888

This photograph of H.R.I.H. the crown princess of Germany was made by an anonymous photographer, and bound into a book. During the 19th century, photography served the purposes of national identity, class distinction, and political power, and here it elevates the Crown Princess through the formality of portraiture. Consider how the subject is side-lit and posed in profile, as if she were a figure on a classical coin, to emphasise her dynastic status and regal bearing. It’s worth noting that the Crown Princess’s husband became German Emperor for only 99 days before his death. She was the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and her life was shaped by the complex relationships between the British and German royal families. To fully understand the nuances of this image, historians will need to consult resources such as photographs, letters, and diaries, to uncover the social context that shaped the creation and reception of this art work.