Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1767 - 1849

This is Joseph Gleich’s ‘Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen’ at the Rijksmuseum, an etching with delicate hand colouring. The composition strikes a balance between ornamentation and restraint. An oval frame, embellished with ribbons and flowers, encloses the profile of Wilhelmina. Gleich uses line to define form, yet it’s the subtle application of colour that softens the overall effect, evoking a sense of aristocratic grace. Notice how the green and pink ribbons intertwine, setting up a structural tension with the oval frame. This interplay speaks to a larger discourse in art, about the relationship between structure and surface, order and adornment. The print, with its semiotic system of signs, offers a glimpse into the cultural codes of the time, where portraiture served not just as representation but also as a statement of identity and status. The tension between the portrait's aesthetic appeal and its underlying structural rigor invites us to consider how art engages with broader cultural and philosophical themes.