Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1761 - 1795

This is Cornelis van Noorde’s diminutive portrait of Wilhelmina van Pruisen, held at the Rijksmuseum. Executed with fine lines, the print captures the sitter in exquisite detail, framed against a stark background that accentuates her elaborate attire. Van Noorde has rendered the princess with great precision. Notice how the lines create subtle tonal gradations. The interplay between light and shadow models her face and emphasizes her elegant bearing. The artist has expertly manipulated line work to suggest texture, from the soft curls of her powdered wig to the plushness of her fur stole, adorned with delicately rendered roses. The composition draws the eye to Wilhelmina’s serene expression, imbuing her with a composed, almost ethereal presence. The careful articulation of her clothing and jewelry, in contrast with the somber background, highlights the cultural codes of status, wealth, and femininity. Consider how the portrait functions as both a representation of an individual and a carefully constructed image of power and grace. It invites ongoing interpretation within its historical and cultural context.