Koningin Wilhelmina en koninginmoeder Emma in feesttent 1898 - 1910

J. Meijer captured this image of Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Mother Emma in a festive tent using photographic techniques of the time. The composition is structured around the linear elements of the tent's framework, which creates a series of vertical divisions across the scene. The photograph's tonal range is quite narrow, with subtle gradations from light to dark that define the figures and their attire. Notice how the texture of fabrics, such as the Queen's gown and the drapery in the background, are rendered with a delicate softness. This textural quality adds depth and richness to the image, inviting a tactile engagement. Structurally, the photograph sets up a contrast between the ordered space of the tent and the implied openness of the surrounding environment, a juxtaposition that invites reflection on themes of public and private, display and enclosure. It prompts us to consider how formal choices reflect and shape the viewer's understanding of the subject matter.