Portret van Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina, prinses van Oranje-Nassau 1791

Benjamin Samuel Bolomey rendered this portrait of Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina, Princess of Orange-Nassau, in print. Notice how the oval frame around Frederica calls to mind classical portraiture, invoking a sense of timelessness and nobility. Such framing devices hark back to ancient Roman portrait busts, where the oval shape symbolized completeness and eternity. But let us not forget the coiffure! The elaborate hairstyle speaks volumes of the era's social and cultural values. A towering wig was a statement of status. Consider how this style contrasts with earlier, simpler hairstyles. The shift reflects a broader transformation in society, where personal expression and individuality began to gain prominence. In that sense, this image is a testament to the cyclical nature of cultural memory, where symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.