Koningin Elisabeth als verpleegster 1914 - 1918

Editor: So this photogravure from between 1914 and 1918 depicts Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, but it's staged to resemble a religious icon. The setting itself looks to be the focus, almost a set or altar-like construction around the Queen. What strikes me is the mix of what appears to be the opulence of the monarchy and the simplicity of the role as a nurse. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: What immediately grabs my attention is how this image challenges the very notion of photography's supposed objectivity. Here, photography serves to reinforce class structures through careful manipulation of imagery and meaning. It speaks to a precise control over how power is presented and consumed by the public. How were such prints disseminated, and how did this availability shape the perception of Queen Elisabeth during the war? Editor: It seems to reinforce an idealised image, using classicist elements in photography, to cast the Queen in almost a divine light during a period of crisis, something far removed from conflict and destruction. Were there other ways that material processes were utilized to similar effects at the time? Curator: Absolutely. Think about war propaganda posters and mass production of art that served specific political goals. By studying the photographic processes, the labor involved, and the distribution channels for these images, we gain deeper insight into how power was consolidated and communicated during wartime. Editor: That really reframes how I see it, thinking about its impact beyond a portrait of nobility to consider production, manipulation, and wide distribution for political ends. Thank you! Curator: Exactly, considering it as an act of manufacturing consent during wartime helps decode some of its messages.