Portretten van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden, Emma, koningin-regentes der Nederlanden, en Willem III, koning der Nederlanden 1898 - 1900

This anonymous print at the Rijksmuseum presents portraits of Wilhelmina, Emma, and Willem III of the Netherlands. The monochromatic lithograph uses a variety of textures and tones to create an intriguing composition. Arranged in a circular fashion, the portraits, interspersed with floral motifs, encircle a central image of a young Wilhelmina. The structural arrangement encourages the viewer to trace the lineage and legacy of Dutch royalty. The use of photography, combined with the lithographic medium, blurs the lines between documentation and artistic representation, thus questioning the nature of historical narrative and memorialization. The crown which sits atop the composition implies the authority of the monarchy, while the portraits act as emblems of power and lineage. The print functions as a semiotic system, where each element—photograph, flower, crown—acts as a signifier. The artwork engages with the viewer on both aesthetic and conceptual levels, inviting ongoing interpretation.