Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van koningin Wilhelmina te paard naar Otto Eerelman 1895 - 1924

This photomechanical print by Antoine Johan Marinus Steinmetz reproduces Otto Eerelman's painting of Queen Wilhelmina on horseback. The image captures Wilhelmina, who became queen at the young age of 10, embodying regal authority and national pride. Eerelman was known for his portraits of animals, especially horses, and his royal commissions served to enhance the monarchy’s image. Steinmetz’s photographic reproduction democratized this image, making it accessible to a wider audience. What does it mean to see a female monarch represented in such a traditionally masculine pose? Wilhelmina’s confident posture challenges conventional gender roles, presenting her as a strong, equestrian leader at a time when women's roles were heavily circumscribed. Consider how the photograph, as a medium, further disseminates this constructed image of power. It reflects a deliberate effort to shape public perception of the monarchy, intertwining personal identity with national symbolism.