Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden, en Hendrik van Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1906

This is a photograph of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Prince Hendrik of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and it was made by Guy de Coral & Co. Looking at the texture of the image, it reminds me of an old photocopy, with these granular flecks that catch the light. The dress and the wall behind them create this dance of repeating patterns. It almost vibrates. I love the way the light falls on the Queen's dress and how the details are both visible and obscured. If you look closely at the bottom of the photograph, you can see how this plays out. The dress melts into the floor, and they almost become one. Thinking about other artists, this piece makes me think of Gerhard Richter and his blurred photographs, or even Vija Celmins and her drawings of the night sky. Both artists use similar techniques to create a sense of depth and mystery, inviting us to get lost in the details, and to appreciate art as an ongoing conversation across time.