Portret van Koningin Wilhelmina en haar Moeder koningin Emma 1897

This photographic print shows Queen Wilhelmina and her mother Queen Emma, and was made by the studio of Chits & Fils in The Hague. The albumen print process, used here, was a key technology of mass image production in the 19th century. The image is printed on paper coated with albumen, or egg white, creating a smooth surface ideal for capturing fine details. Consider the labor involved in producing such an image: from raising the chickens for their eggs to the careful chemical processes of developing the photograph, it’s a snapshot not just of royalty, but of industrial-age processes. The final sepia tone emerges from the photographic chemistry. It gives the image a warmth, and also speaks to its time. Photographs like these were widely distributed, helping to shape public perception of the royal family. So, next time you look at an old photograph, remember that you're seeing the end result of a complex interplay between craft, technology, and social forces.