Portret van Juliana, koningin der Nederlanden 1930

This is a portrait of Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands, made by Franz Ziegler. I can't help but wonder about the experience of making formal portraits. I can imagine Ziegler working in his studio, setting up the lights, arranging the backdrop, and then waiting for Juliana to arrive. Maybe they chatted about the weather, or maybe they were both a little nervous. There’s a stiffness to her posture, her face a mask of composure. I wonder what it was like for Ziegler to capture her likeness, trying to convey her regality and approachability. Did he see her as a symbol of the nation, or as a person with her own thoughts and feelings? It's a fascinating dance between artist and subject, each bringing their own perspective to the encounter. And it's a reminder that every portrait is a collaboration, a shared act of creation that transcends time.