Manchester University Press
1 Monarchy and empire in the age of mass photography
Abstract
This chapter introduces Queen Wilhelmina, a monarch who never toured her colonies, yet was better known and celebrated there than any of her predecessors and thus represents perhaps the only truly imperial monarch in Dutch history. It examines the development of mass photography in the Netherlands East Indies (colonial Indonesia) during Wilhelmina’s reign (1898–1948). It was photography above all other media that ‘globalised’ the Dutch monarchy for colonial subjects in a way that enabled a wide range of her subjects, from Indigenous royals to ordinary people, to creatively respond to and interact with this important imperial institution.
Abstract
This chapter introduces Queen Wilhelmina, a monarch who never toured her colonies, yet was better known and celebrated there than any of her predecessors and thus represents perhaps the only truly imperial monarch in Dutch history. It examines the development of mass photography in the Netherlands East Indies (colonial Indonesia) during Wilhelmina’s reign (1898–1948). It was photography above all other media that ‘globalised’ the Dutch monarchy for colonial subjects in a way that enabled a wide range of her subjects, from Indigenous royals to ordinary people, to creatively respond to and interact with this important imperial institution.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Acknowledgements xiii
- List of abbreviations xv
- Map xvi
- 1 Monarchy and empire in the age of mass photography 1
- 2 Behold the queen 26
- 3 Family connections 53
- 4 Modern subjects 85
- 5 Snapshot diplomacy 118
- 6 Governing difference 154
- 7 The empire is dead, long live the queen! 185
- Bibliography 215
- Index 234
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Acknowledgements xiii
- List of abbreviations xv
- Map xvi
- 1 Monarchy and empire in the age of mass photography 1
- 2 Behold the queen 26
- 3 Family connections 53
- 4 Modern subjects 85
- 5 Snapshot diplomacy 118
- 6 Governing difference 154
- 7 The empire is dead, long live the queen! 185
- Bibliography 215
- Index 234
