Koninklijke Familie 1943

This black and white photograph, titled Koninklijke Familie, probably made with a simple camera in someone’s home, captures a formal family portrait. Imagine the moment: the family gathered, perhaps a bit nervous or excited, trying to pose just so. The photographer—maybe a relative or a family friend—is trying to capture the perfect shot, directing everyone with gentle instructions. There’s the weight of the camera in hand, the click of the shutter, and the anticipation of seeing the developed image. I wonder if the photographer was thinking about other family portraits they had seen. The photograph is carefully placed in the album with great love. We are all in a conversation with each other, trying to capture a moment in time to preserve forever. The photo album creates a space where time collapses and the viewer has the opportunity to interpret and reimagine.