Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1934

This photograph of Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, was captured by Franz Ziegler, though we don't know exactly when. What I love about black and white photography is how it invites you to imagine the colour, to create it in your mind's eye. Here, the stark contrast throws her figure into sharp relief. The texture of the carpet and stone steps is palpable, a tactile experience translated through shades of grey. The lighting seems to emphasize the line of her dress, and the curve of her head covering. It's as if the light is sculpting her form, revealing an underlying structure. This reminds me of those moments in the studio when you're trying to coax out a form from a mess of paint. There's a formal quality to this photograph, but something about the angle and lighting choices makes it feel surprisingly casual. It reminds me a little of the work of August Sander, who also found a kind of informal majesty in the faces of everyday people. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation, an ongoing dialogue across time.