H.M. de koningin Possibly 1912 - 1931

This small photograph on cardboard of Queen Wilhelmina was created by Herman Deutmann. The muted sepia tones give the portrait a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The composition is formal, focusing on her bust, adorned with pearls and a feathered stole. Consider how the artist uses these elements to convey the status and personality of the queen. The pearls, meticulously rendered, serve as signifiers of wealth and status. More subtly, the soft focus and muted tones perhaps suggest a romanticised view, imbuing her with an almost ethereal presence. This image, while seemingly straightforward, raises interesting questions about representation and power. How do such carefully constructed images shape our perceptions of historical figures? It's through these visual clues, these calculated arrangements of light and form, that the artist engages in a dialogue about image construction.