Koningin Emma bij een tentoonstelling van het Zuiderzeemuseum c. 1910 - 1934

This photograph captures Queen Emma at an exhibition of the Zuiderzeemuseum. Although the photographer remains anonymous, their work provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural politics of the time. The image reveals a moment of encounter between royalty and the representation of regional culture. Queen Emma, surrounded by an entourage of men in suits, engages with a woman adorned in traditional local costume. What does it mean for a royal figure to engage with the curated traditions of the Zuiderzee region? The exhibition itself becomes a stage for the performance of Dutch identity, one in which the rural is both preserved and presented for consumption. This photograph asks us to consider the ways in which power, identity, and cultural heritage intersect. It highlights the complicated relationship between the monarchy, regional identities, and the narrative of a unified Dutch nation.