Portrait of -Queen of Itily- c. 19th century

William B. Closson created this photogravure titled "Portrait of -Queen of Itily-," likely sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. During this period, European royalty occupied a unique position in the global imagination, embodying ideals of beauty, power, and cultural sophistication. Closson's choice to depict the Queen of Italy is interesting. It is not simply a representation of regal authority, but also an exploration of femininity and identity. The Queen is adorned in delicate lace, a visual marker of wealth and status, yet there is a softness to her gaze. This approach softens the traditional portrayal of royalty as distant and untouchable. What does it mean to create an image of a queen? What narratives does it perpetuate, and what alternative stories might it suggest? While this portrait upholds certain conventions of royal portraiture, it also invites us to consider the individual woman beneath the crown. It is a moment of reflection on the roles we inherit and the identities we inhabit.