Portret van prinses Wilhelmina 1897

Curator: Right now we're looking at "Portret van prinses Wilhelmina", a photograph taken by Adolphe Zimmermans in 1897. Editor: There's a delicate, almost ethereal quality to this portrait. The light seems to embrace her, creating a dreamy atmosphere, all the details are soft, muted even. It's like she is lit by candlelight. Curator: It's true, Zimmermans used photography, this very modern medium for that era, to produce a kind of ideal image for public consumption. This portrait was created at a key point for the Netherlands; Wilhelmina was about to become queen the next year, so it's all about conveying the appropriate impression to her soon to be subjects. Editor: Interesting that you say ‘appropriate impression’. Looking at her… there’s a reserve, isn’t there? It feels formal but in an intriguing way, the young Wilhelmina is at once accessible yet still distant. Maybe because she is just a child. It's subtle but it speaks volumes about her future role. The way her hair is pulled up, for instance. It isn't really glamorous, it is carefully organised and sensible, so again the ‘appropriate impression’ is spot on. Curator: I think what we're seeing is a careful balancing act. The pale palette and soft focus serve to make her look approachable but also highlight the restraint. It really mirrors the way royal families are often presented, navigating tradition and evolving social norms, for their survival. This photo really highlights those efforts. And more immediately we should also recognise its technical qualities, its careful composition and subtle lighting. Editor: You are absolutely right, as the next Queen of the Netherlands, the way she is presented and seen by the public is absolutely paramount and photography allowed that ‘appropriate impression’ to be achieved. Something I feel even today, continues to occur. Curator: Photography's relationship to the Dutch monarchy has continued since the end of the 19th Century! What does this all say about power, representation, and the role of photography in shaping history? Editor: Indeed. It offers an intimate window into her world, yet subtly reminds us of the weight of duty, of monarchy itself. And with it, she is remembered.