Fotoreproductie van (vermoedelijk) een tekening, voorstellend tsaar Nicolaas II van Rusland en tsarina Alexandra Fjodorovna in een rijtuig tijdens hun bezoek aan Parijs Possibly 1896

This small photograph at the Rijksmuseum purportedly shows a drawing by an artist named Delizy, depicting Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna during a visit to Paris. The photograph itself speaks to the rapid acceleration of image culture during this period. Photography was becoming ubiquitous and changing the nature of representation. Its impact on older forms of image-making cannot be overstated, in particular challenging the role and status of drawing and painting. Here, we have an image of an image, where a photograph attempts to capture the fleeting moment of a royal procession. It's also interesting to think of the social context of this image: the opulence and grandeur on display, captured and circulated for a wider audience. The incredible detail within the photograph, from the royal couple to the intricate details of the carriage, serve as a reminder of the labor and resources required to create and maintain such a spectacle. Considering materials, making, and context allows us to understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.