Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1923

Curator: Here we have a portrait of Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, captured in 1923 by Herman Deutmann. It's a photographic print that really encapsulates the idea of royal portraiture during that time. Editor: She seems incredibly...solid. Like a well-fortified palace. Those jewels! That stiff pose! Is it regal or just a bit...uncomfortable? Curator: Royal portraiture served a very specific function back then; it was about projecting power and stability. Wilhelmina had come to the throne rather young and led her nation through the First World War. She needed to appear unwavering. Editor: So the tiara the size of a small car, that's strategic, is what you're saying? Makes me think about the weight of leadership, all that responsibility sitting right there on her head. Curator: Exactly! And consider Deutmann's choice of medium: photography. While painting was still prevalent for aristocratic portraiture, photography allowed for wider dissemination of her image. Editor: Smart move. It's interesting, though, because it's so clearly posed, styled, and retouched within an inch of its life, but we know, somewhere deep down, there's a real person underneath. Curator: Absolutely. The setting is calculated, of course, but you can discern aspects of her personality, despite the rigid framework of the official portrait. Notice the almost weary look in her eyes. Editor: Yeah, behind the crown and the stiff upper lip, there's a person grappling with the burdens of a world in turmoil. Maybe it's just me projecting. It makes me wonder what she really felt. Curator: Perhaps. In any case, the portrait becomes a historical document, showcasing how power presents itself and what role it plays within broader social and political narratives of the 20th Century. Editor: Makes you rethink the Instagram selfies of modern leaders. What will people say about those 100 years from now, eh? Thanks, Wilhelmina. Food for thought.