Portret van Juliana, koningin der Nederlanden 1911 - 1913

This image is a photograph of Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands, taken by Herman Deutmann. I look at this small child, posed so formally in sepia tones. She is all dressed up in a frilly white dress, sat on a fancy chair, holding a bunch of flowers. What was she thinking, I wonder? Was she happy to sit still and pose, or was she longing to run around outside, playing and exploring? Deutmann has captured her youth and innocence in this timeless image. It’s a glimpse into a life of privilege and responsibility, a life already mapped out for her. I can imagine him carefully composing the shot, arranging the flowers, ensuring the light was just right. It’s a moment frozen in time, a reminder of the weight of history and the fleeting nature of childhood. He’s saying something about the image of royalty, and also, something about the real life of the young girl who would become Queen.