Portret van Juliana, koningin der Nederlanden 1937 - 1938

This is a photographic portrait of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands by Franz Ziegler, now hanging in the Rijksmuseum. Looking at the image, I can almost feel the cool silk of her gown. It's interesting how this piece balances official regal portraiture and softer, more intimate elements. I bet Ziegler wanted to capture her regality, but also give the impression of approachability. The sepia tones and the way the light falls create a sense of distance, yet her direct gaze invites you in. I wonder what the atmosphere in the studio was like at the time. What did they talk about? It seems like there was a whole school of portraiture back then. Artists like Ziegler were in a constant visual conversation. They were inspired by each other and created new ways of seeing. Each brushstroke, each angle, tells a story, reflecting the spirit of their time and of the sitter in question.