Portret van koningin Emma met Wilhelmina als jonge vrouw 1895 - 1901

This photograph of Queen Emma with a young Wilhelmina was created through the wet collodion process, a 19th-century technique where a glass plate is coated, sensitized, exposed, and developed, all before the coating dries. The choice of photography itself speaks volumes about the democratization of portraiture in this era. Photography made images accessible to a wider audience, beyond the elite who could afford painted portraits. Its rise was fueled by both technological advancement and the aspirations of a growing middle class. Consider the labor involved; from the photographer's expertise in chemistry and optics, to the darkroom assistants, each print represents a network of skills. Even the subjects participate, holding still for extended exposure times, embodying the patience and formality of the age. Ultimately, this photograph is more than a record of royalty; it's a study in material culture, reflecting the values, technologies, and social structures of its time.