Prins Bernhard, prinses Beatrix en prinses Juliana in de zon tijdens de wintersportvakantie in Grindelwald Possibly 1939

Editor: This is a gelatin-silver print, very likely from 1939, of the Dutch royal family—Prins Bernhard, Princess Beatrix, and Princess Juliana—during a ski vacation. What strikes me most is the ordinariness of the scene. Despite their royal status, they look like any family enjoying a sunny winter day. What do you see in this photograph? Curator: I see a moment frozen in time, laden with a bittersweet resonance. On the one hand, there’s this sense of everyday bliss; a family at leisure, bathed in sunlight. On the other, knowing this was taken on the eve of World War II, it’s impossible to ignore the looming darkness. Doesn’t it remind you of trying to hold onto a fleeting moment of joy before the storm arrives? Editor: Yes, absolutely. It makes me wonder about the photographer’s intentions. Do you think they were deliberately trying to capture this sense of normalcy against an uncertain future? Curator: It's a tantalizing thought. Photography can indeed function as both a recorder of reality and a manipulator of sentiment. The seemingly candid snapshot belies a constructed narrative – a gentle reminder that even in the face of chaos, there’s still room for light, for family, and the simple pleasure of sitting together in the sun. That's quite a hopeful image, isn't it? It’s a testament to our shared human condition. We want peace and calm above anything else. Editor: This conversation has made me think so much more deeply about the image's layering and complexities. It feels richer and sadder. Curator: For me, it reinforces how art allows us to experience these complex narratives—simultaneously celebrating life and grieving what's inevitably lost to time.