Portret van prinses Wilhelmina 1897

This is a photographic portrait of Princess Wilhelmina, made by Adolphe Zimmermans. The portrait presents a study in contrasts. The subject’s soft features are sharply defined in profile. The light falling gently across her face, throws a stark relief and precise angles against the planes of her face and the curve of her neck. The limited tonal range of sepia and the stark composition gives a strong sense of the subject's presence, but also speaks to the formal constraints of early portrait photography. The rendering of depth and dimension, is achieved not only through lighting, but also in the contrast between the smooth skin tones and the airy fabric of her dress. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance. The subdued palette forces us to focus on the composition and the interplay of light and shadow, which altogether transcends the material and delves into the realm of the symbolic.