Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1791 - 1812

Heinrich Sintzenich made this print of Wilhelmina of Prussia. This portrait gives us insight into the social and political roles of women in 18th-century European aristocracy. Wilhelmina's identity is constructed through visual codes of class and status. Her elaborate hairstyle, fashionable dress, and refined features speak to her privileged position. This image, made in the late 1700s, reflects the cultural values of the Prussian court, where artistic patronage and representation were crucial in maintaining social hierarchies. As the wife of William V, the Prince of Orange, Wilhelmina was a key figurehead, and prints such as this reinforced her image. By studying Sintzenich's print alongside historical documents, letters, and court records, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, power, and identity in the 18th century. The meaning of this portrait is something that shifts, contingent on social and institutional context.