Portret van Juliana, koningin der Nederlanden 1937 - 1938

Franz Ziegler made this photogravure of Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands sometime in the early 20th century. The sepia tone really adds to the nostalgic feel of this piece. I love how the texture of the Queen's feathered boa and cuffs contrasts with the smooth, almost luminous quality of her gown. The light catches the fabric in a way that makes it seem to shimmer. It makes me think about how we use materials to create different effects, like layering paint to build up a surface or using thin washes to create depth. There’s something almost painterly about the way Ziegler has captured the light and shadow. The way the background fades into darkness around the edges directs the viewer's eye right to the Queen's face. I love the sense of intimacy that this creates. It reminds me a bit of some of the old master portrait painters, like Rembrandt. Both Ziegler and Rembrandt draw your attention to the smallest details that reveal so much about the subject.