Prentbriefkaart met een portret van koningin Wilhelmina in Friese klederdracht en prins Hendrik in marine-uniform 1901 - 1905

This postcard, portraying Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik, was made by Idanus Hendrikus Slaterus, though it is not clear exactly when. What interests me is its photographic surface. It’s mounted in an album, which creates a sense of intimacy and historical distance. The subdued tones lend the image a sense of gravity, but, at the same time, there is so much detail that can be read closely. Take, for example, the texture of Queen Wilhelmina's traditional Friesian dress. Look closely and you will see the artist has not tried to smooth the texture. Every crease and fold tells a story. I suppose I’m drawn to the quiet simplicity of this postcard. There's something inherently human in the way Slaterus captures his subjects, a stark contrast to the bombastic portraits we often see of royals. It reminds me of the documentary style of photographers like August Sander, who sought to capture the essence of everyday people. Art, at its best, invites us to see the world through a different lens.