Koninginnedag 1903 - 1910

Hendrik Doijer captured ‘Koninginnedag’, or Queen’s Day, sometime between 1863 and 1925, using what looks like a glass plate camera. I can almost see him under the dark cloth, adjusting his lens, trying to capture this public celebration. Look at that big field! The photo looks a little faded, a little grey, but that’s history for you. I wonder what it was like to be there, what it felt like, the sounds, smells, and atmosphere of a royal celebration in the Dutch East Indies. It must have been quite exciting. I imagine the palm trees swaying gently in the breeze. And the white tent adds a touch of elegance and festivity. I'm curious about the people in the image – were they excited? Did they enjoy the party? I imagine Doijer setting up his camera again and again to capture all the details of the celebration. Like all artists, Doijer's work is a window into the past.