Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1902

This is a portrait of Wilhelmina of Prussia, printed by Verlagsanstalt Fr. Bruckmann A.-G. The image presents a vision of aristocratic femininity that was very much in vogue in the late 18th century. Looking at the image, Wilhelmina is presented as an ideal of feminine beauty, emphasized by her elaborate hairstyle and refined features. In the context of late 18th-century Europe, Prussia was at the center of political and cultural change and the Prussian court played a significant role in shaping European tastes and diplomatic relations. This image would have been circulated among the aristocratic elites to promote certain ideals of courtly life. To fully understand this image, it would be necessary to look at the archives of the Prussian court as well as period publications. These sources can reveal the meaning that the image would have for its contemporary audience, and its significance in the complex social and political landscape of the time. Ultimately, it is through historical contextualization that art gains meaning and relevance.