Portret van Wilhelmina Frederica Sophia van Pruisen, prinses van Oranje-Nassau, met haar man koning Willem I 1822 - 1880

Reinier Craeyvanger created this intimate portrait of Wilhelmina Frederica Sophia van Pruisen and her husband, King Willem I, using pen in brown, brush in brown and gray, and graphite. Notice the rapid, expressive linework, a process marking a departure from the highly polished, formal portraits typical of royalty. Craeyvanger's choice of humble materials—pen, brush, and graphite—suggests a more informal, immediate approach. The sketch-like quality brings us closer to the sitters, inviting a sense of intimacy. Consider the social context: during this era, the rise of industrialization and evolving class structures began influencing art. The artist's technique reflects this changing landscape, moving away from idealized depictions. The act of drawing itself becomes a kind of labor, capturing a moment in time. Craeyvanger’s drawing invites us to consider the making of images, and the value we place on different kinds of labor.