Fotoreproductie van een geschilderd portret van koningin Wilhelmina 1898

This is Max Cosman's photographic reproduction of a painted portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The portrait, encased in a rectangular frame with an oval window, immediately draws the eye to the monochromatic image of the queen. The visual structure is striking; the artist has used the geometric frame to contain and define the softer oval portrait within, creating a play between rigidity and smoothness, setting and subject. Observe how the formal framing emphasizes Wilhelmina, whose gaze meets ours directly. Note how the crown and jewelry are not mere embellishments but function as semiotic markers, underscoring her status and power. This photographic reproduction is not just an image but a structured statement. It balances historical representation with formal artistic choices to subtly negotiate themes of power, identity, and representation. The choice of a photographic reproduction is an interesting comment on authenticity and the proliferation of images during this time.