Gezicht op De Nederlandsche Bank tijdens de inhuldigingsfeesten van Wilhelmina van 5 tot en met 9 september 1898 Possibly 1898 - 1899

Editor: Here we have Sigmund Löw's "Gezicht op De Nederlandsche Bank tijdens de inhuldigingsfeesten van Wilhelmina van 5 tot en met 9 september 1898," possibly from 1898 or 1899. It’s a photograph, possibly with colored pencil added. It feels quite grand and meticulously detailed, capturing a specific historical moment. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious celebratory display? Curator: I see more than just celebration; I see a deliberate construction of national identity. The ornamentation adorning De Nederlandsche Bank speaks volumes. Each banner, each garland, acts as a symbol reinforcing Wilhelmina's ascension to the throne, but also projecting the power and stability of the Dutch nation on the global stage. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered it as a deliberate projection. So, are you suggesting this photograph functions as propaganda, in a way? Curator: Indeed. Consider the social context. Wilhelmina’s inauguration marked a pivotal moment of transition. The Netherlands sought to solidify its position amongst rapidly changing global powers. So, the photograph freezes that moment but it actively shapes its legacy. Editor: The architecture seems to reinforce that; it is not just the building, but the symbolic intent of projecting power. I suppose a question remains: whose story gets amplified, and whose gets muted in such a grand display of national pride? Curator: Precisely. This image encourages us to consider not only what is shown, but also what remains unseen. Whose labor built the bank? Whose voices were excluded from the celebrations? Who could participate, and who could only observe? Editor: Looking at it that way gives me a lot to consider about the choices made in composing the image and the social narrative being constructed. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking critically about these visual representations is essential to understanding how power operates.