Princess Frederica Louise Wilhelmina (1770-1819) c. 1782

Editor: This is a delicate cameo portrait of Princess Frederica Louise Wilhelmina, by Wedgwood. It seems small and intimate. What can you tell me about its social context? Curator: These cameos were fashionable items in the late 18th century, often mass-produced and collected. Wedgwood's factory democratized access to portraiture, but how do you think this affected perceptions of royalty? Editor: Did it make royalty seem more accessible, or perhaps cheapen their image? Curator: Exactly! The mass production challenges the exclusivity typically associated with aristocratic portraiture. It raises questions about the power dynamics between the monarchy and its subjects through imagery. Interesting, isn't it?