Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1814 - 1815

Curator: This is a print of "Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen," dating to 1814-1815 by Pieter van der Meulen, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It has a formal, almost stoic feel to it. The framing of the portrait, with its crown and heraldry, gives a clear sense of power, even with the limited color palette typical of an engraving. Curator: Yes, the symbolic language is deliberate. Consider the Neoclassical influence: the rigid composition, the emblems of authority meticulously rendered, the oval cartouche itself echoing ancient Roman portraiture. It evokes stability and legacy. Editor: Legacy, certainly. The inclusion of the procession scene at the bottom speaks directly to the restoration of the monarchy. It's a careful visual construction that reinforces the renewed power structure after a period of upheaval. Do you read her face as self-aware in that regard? Curator: I do. The symbols surrounding her contribute to that reading; however, observe the way the eyes engage the viewer—direct, confident, with a hint of something perhaps less legible? This could indicate an emotional depth beyond merely dynastic representation. What symbols might give us that information? Editor: That’s true. It is possible the somewhat severe presentation can speak to the societal constrictions placed upon royal women. Here she is, a representation, framed with masculine power emblems that still constrain her identity as her own agent. Curator: Intriguing observation. Those masculine elements, paradoxically, secure her position but also underscore a narrative of power being mediated through very specific gender roles, in a particular point in time. It certainly is not uncommon within portraiture, but that specific social situation helps inform its historical place. Editor: It makes you consider who this engraving was actually *for*. What's its aim within that social fabric you speak of? Was this really intended to uplift her own authority or further entrench other people in the social imaginary? Curator: That interplay, I think, is what makes this particular print compelling, and keeps these crucial questions circulating within and beyond this piece. Editor: Absolutely. The contradictions are rich and are very visually appealing. Thank you for bringing attention to this historical moment!