40- jarig regeeringsjubileum van H.M. de koningin, Amsterdam, 6 September 1938. Terug uit de Nieuwe Kerk Possibly 1938 - 1939

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, titled "40-jarig regeeringsjubileum van H.M. de koningin," captures Queen Wilhelmina’s jubilee in Amsterdam, possibly in 1938 or 1939. The composition is strikingly formal, almost staged, emphasizing the sheer number of soldiers. What does this image say to you? Curator: I see a record of production and a symbol of social order. Look at the soldiers—each uniform meticulously crafted, the rifles mass-produced. The gelatin-silver process itself, a chemical process dependent on industrial advancements, allows for the widespread distribution and consumption of this image. What kind of labour went into making this photo, and for whom? Editor: That’s an interesting point. I hadn't considered the mass production aspect of photography itself. The image becomes not just about the event, but also about its dissemination. But why this rigid structure, and its impact? Curator: Precisely. The composition reflects a desire for control and stability, mirrored by the Queen’s jubilee, designed to reaffirm national identity amid growing pre-war tensions. What relationship do you perceive between this image and consumption practices during this time? Editor: I suppose it's about reinforcing faith in national symbols during times of economic stress and emerging political turmoil. It feels propagandistic now. Curator: Exactly. Photography, initially considered a craft, gains the prestige of “high art” due to its industrial underpinnings and performative potential. Look at the craft and process versus subject: there's tension! The Queen being there legitimizes the art. How do you view it? Editor: This has opened my eyes to seeing beyond just the subject and think critically about production methods and power structures embedded within seemingly straightforward documentation. Curator: Indeed. This image reveals how materials, processes, and consumption intersect to shape our understanding of history and power.