Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1790 - 1829

This is Friedrich Wilhelm Bock's portrait of Wilhelmina of Prussia. Without a specific date, we can still situate it within the late 18th century, a time when portraits of nobility were potent symbols of power and status. Wilhelmina, as a Prussian princess, was born into a world of arranged marriages and political alliances. This print underscores the performance of identity expected of women in her position. Her elaborate hairstyle and elegant shawl speak to the visual language of aristocracy. The gaze she directs towards the viewer is both demure and self-aware. One wonders, what were the emotional realities of women like Wilhelmina, whose lives were largely dictated by dynastic concerns? Bock's portrait exists within a history of representation, where women were often depicted to fulfill societal expectations. What alternative narratives might emerge if we consider the constraints and complexities of Wilhelmina's life? This print is a reflection of societal expectations and the emotional realities of women in positions of power.