Menigte bij de aankomst van koningin Victoria Eugénie van Battenberg in Parijs Possibly 1931 - 1934

Editor: This photograph, likely from the early 1930s, is titled "Menigte bij de aankomst van koningin Victoria Eugénie van Battenberg in Parijs," attributed to Georges Devred. It’s a gelatin silver print capturing a dense crowd, with many individuals waving their hats. There’s almost a uniform quality to the headwear. What stories do you think it's trying to tell us? Curator: The photograph speaks volumes about public spectacle and constructed identities. While seemingly a straightforward record of a royal visit, it prompts us to question the nature of such manufactured displays. How complicit is the crowd in perpetuating narratives of power and prestige? What about gender? Who had the right to photograph and to be photographed? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the gendered aspect so directly, although now that you point it out, it's fairly obvious from the hats and attire. Curator: Exactly! We must also ask what wasn't photographed, and whose stories remained unheard. By analyzing the visible markers of class and identity, we can unravel the underlying sociopolitical dynamics at play in the interwar period in Paris. Consider the power of the press, royal imagery and their place in constructing and maintaining social hierarchies. How do photographs contribute to creating historical memory? Editor: So, beyond just a photo of a queen’s visit, it’s a reflection on the power structures and social performances of the time? Curator: Precisely. And thinking about it through a feminist lens adds layers of complexity to our understanding of visibility, representation, and agency. By understanding these structures, perhaps we can engage differently today. Editor: This photo provides insight into a specific event, and you’ve really highlighted how photographs of this time provide information that tells stories about gender, class, and constructed identities, teaching us lessons for today. Curator: Indeed. Each image offers a starting point for a wider conversation.