Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina (1770-1819), prinses van Oranje-Nassau. Dochter van Willem V en Wilhelmina van Pruisen, als kind 1770 - 1780

This is a miniature portrait of Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina, Princess of Orange-Nassau, daughter of Willem V and Wilhelmina of Prussia, painted by Pieter le Sage. The princess’s gaze is averted, perhaps indicative of the formality and constraint placed upon royal figures, even in childhood. As a member of the House of Orange-Nassau, Frederica’s life was shaped by the political and dynastic concerns of her family. Her marriage was a strategic alliance intended to bolster her family's position. This portrait, with its delicate rendering and intimate scale, speaks to the intersection of public duty and private life that defined Frederica’s experience. Consider the weight of expectation placed on her from a young age, the negotiations around marriage and succession, and the limited agency afforded to women in positions of power during this period. It invites us to reflect on the personal sacrifices often demanded by royal duty.