Buste van koningin Wilhelmina van pruisen c. 1855

Eduard Isaac Asser captured this image of the bust of Queen Wilhelmina of Prussia through photography. The bust presents Wilhelmina draped in fabric, her hair intricately styled – a style reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture. This deliberate allusion to classical antiquity is significant. It was fashionable to hearken back to the Roman era, a visual language of power and virtue. Here, the Queen is seen as embodying those ideals. It is worth noting the "wet drapery" technique used in classical sculpture, where fabric clings to and reveals the body beneath. This technique, seen here in the bust, adds an element of sensuality. Interestingly, the veil in Western art can symbolize purity, mourning, or even hidden knowledge. The flowers and garland at the base further speak to a tradition of honoring the deceased. This is a potent emblem, charged with cultural memory. It connects us to a long line of artistic and cultural expressions.