Ruiterportret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1920 - 1926

This image, by Herman Deutmann, captures Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands on horseback. The sepia tone is like a filter of time, muting the colors and softening the edges, which makes me think about painting, about how we use color or its absence to create a mood. The texture is smooth, almost velvety, giving it a tactile quality. It’s thin and transparent, like a memory fading at the edges. I get the sense that Deutmann wasn't trying to hide the mechanics of the image-making, and it makes me think about process. Look at the dappled light on the horse's flank, small marks there give depth and volume. This image reminds me of the work of Edward Steichen. Both artists share a similar approach to portraiture and a willingness to experiment with photographic processes. Art is always talking to art; it's an ongoing conversation and an exchange of ideas. It asks more questions than it answers, don't you think?