Portret van koningin Wilhelmina 1899

Editor: This is an albumen print from 1899, titled "Portret van koningin Wilhelmina," and credited to Wegner & Mottu, found at the Rijksmuseum. It feels very formal and almost…distant. What strikes you when you look at this portrait? Curator: Well, this image offers an entry point to discuss the performance of power and femininity at the turn of the century. Consider Wilhelmina's gaze. Does it meet yours directly, or is there a sense of detachment? How does this compare to photographic portraits of women outside the aristocracy during the same period? Editor: I see what you mean, she is looking at me, but she doesn't really seem to *see* me. Was she trying to project a certain image of herself? Curator: Exactly! Think about the construction of identity through photography. As a young queen, Wilhelmina was acutely aware of her image. Her carefully chosen attire, the pearl necklace and tiara, signal wealth, status, and dynastic continuity. We need to think about who this image was intended for and what messages it was supposed to convey to the Dutch public. How do you think gender plays into this image, considering the historical expectations of female monarchs? Editor: It’s interesting to consider it as a construction rather than just a likeness. Maybe she was trying to portray herself as a strong but also beautiful leader. Curator: Precisely! Now, thinking about Wegner & Mottu as the photographers, how do their own socio-political perspectives potentially intersect with and shape the image they created? It's rarely a neutral act. Editor: It is fascinating how many layers and ideas a simple portrait can contain! It is far more than what it appears at first glance. Curator: Indeed, this is where art history meets cultural studies. It's a potent reminder that images are never just representations; they are active participants in shaping our understanding of the world.