Portret van koning Eduard VII 1890 - 1910

This is an undated photograph of King Edward VII, made by an anonymous artist. Edward ascended to the throne in 1901, upon the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, inheriting an empire upon which the sun never set. This portrait, like many depictions of royalty, uses the visual language of power: his military dress, the medals, and the confident gaze all reinforce his position atop a rigid social hierarchy. Yet, the photograph is small and part of an album, suggesting a more intimate, perhaps even sentimental context. Consider the role of photography during Edward's reign. It was becoming increasingly accessible to the middle classes, changing how people saw themselves and the world. While portraits of the King reinforced traditional power structures, photography also allowed for new narratives and representations. This image offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between power, representation, and identity in a rapidly changing world.