Fotoreproductie van een ontwerp van koning Léopold I van België op zijn sterfbed op 10 december 1865 before 1866

This photograph by Ghémar Frères captures a design depicting King Leopold I of Belgium on his deathbed in 1865. The image offers a glimpse into the private world of monarchy, but it was intended to be a public declaration of the end of an era. Deathbed scenes like this, carefully staged and meticulously documented, reflect the cultural norms of 19th-century Europe, where death was both a personal and a public affair, particularly for those in positions of power. In a photograph produced by brothers well known for their portraits of Belgian aristocracy, we see the royal family gathered to bear witness. Such images reinforced social hierarchies, presenting the monarchy as a sacred institution, even in death. The photograph’s existence and preservation in institutions like the Rijksmuseum speak to its historical significance as evidence of both royal life and the way it was presented to the Belgian public. Scholarly resources can help us to better understand the social and political context that shaped not just the event, but its visual representation for posterity.