Koninklijk escorte op het Frederiksplein te Amsterdam tijdens de intocht van Koningin Wilhelmina 1898 - 1899

This photograph of Queen Wilhelmina's entrance into Amsterdam was created by Guy de Coral & Co. The photographic process itself involves a delicate balance of chemistry and light. The gelatin silver process, used here, involved coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides and developing the image through chemical reactions. This process became quite widespread, thanks to its relatively low cost and ease of replication. Here, that replicability has clear implications. The ability to disseminate images like these played a crucial role in shaping public perception and solidifying national identity. It also speaks to the development of mass media and consumer culture, and thus a wider social issue of labor. While the creation of the photograph itself was a skilled endeavor, the printing and distribution processes could be scaled up, contributing to the growth of a visual economy tied to both royalty and capital. So, as you consider this image, remember that its material form and mode of production are integral to its meaning, blurring the boundaries between art, industry, and cultural representation.