Portret van koningin Wilhelmina 1948

Editor: This is a portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, created in 1948 by Atelier Merkelbach, using gelatin-silver print. It has such a poised and regal presence, almost…austere? I’m curious, what jumps out at you when you see this piece? Curator: Well, seeing a photograph of Queen Wilhelmina, particularly from 1948, places it within a very specific socio-political context. The Netherlands was still recovering from World War II, and the monarchy was seen as a symbol of national unity. Does this portrait reinforce or challenge that idea of unity in your view? Editor: I think it’s complicated. The framing and the photographic treatment elevate her, but her expression seems almost weary, which counters the typical idea of an all-powerful monarch. Curator: Exactly. Merkelbach’s studio had a prominent position in shaping the visual culture of the Netherlands. These formal portraits weren’t just about capturing a likeness, they were about constructing a specific image of power. What choices, do you think, reinforce this? Editor: The ornamentation – the pearls, the tiara, the rich textures. Also the careful lighting, it softens her features. But there’s a formality to the pose, the way she holds her hands…almost as though there’s a vulnerability too? Curator: It is precisely this duality, this balance between the projected image and potential subversion, that makes it fascinating from a historical perspective. These seemingly straightforward portraits can be read as negotiations between the sitter, the photographer, and the prevailing socio-political climate. Are photographs today as conscious in creating such meaning? Editor: I’d say, perhaps not so overtly. But it makes you wonder what future generations will read into *our* portraits of power. I now see that it isn’t just a likeness, but a document reflecting societal ideals. Curator: Precisely! The studio, in effect, becomes an active participant in defining cultural memory. A great way to frame it!