Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1931

This portrait of Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, was made with photography by Franz Ziegler. There is a certain tension between representation and abstraction when I look at this image. I see the formal pose and the clear, almost scientific, approach to documenting her royal finery, but it's the shades of grey I'm drawn to. This tonal palette sets the stage, it gives a particular atmosphere to the piece. The eye is drawn to the play of light on the jewels and the gown. You can almost feel the texture of the fabrics, the weight of the tiara. Look closely, and you'll notice how the sash cuts across her torso, dividing the composition and adding a touch of drama. It is not just a record of a queen but an exploration of form and light. Like the portraits of royalty by Gerhard Richter, the ambiguity invites us to question the nature of representation itself. Is it about capturing likeness or something more profound?