Dr. Willem Drees afgedrukt op kunststof 1945 - 1960

This is a portrait of Dr. Willem Drees printed on plastic, created by an anonymous artist at an unknown date. Willem Drees was a towering figure in post-war Dutch politics, serving as Prime Minister during a period of significant social and economic transformation. It is interesting to see him portrayed in such a non-traditional material. Plastic emerged in the post-war period as a cheap and durable material with seemingly endless possibilities, embodying the modern values of efficiency and progress. Perhaps this portrait attempts to capture the spirit of the times through its unusual choice of material. Images of political leaders often take on symbolic weight, especially in the context of national identity and collective memory. To understand this particular portrait fully, we would need to delve deeper into the historical context surrounding Drees's leadership, and how he was perceived by the public. Museum archives, political ephemera, and period newspapers are just some of the resources that may shed light on this intriguing work and the social values it expresses.