40-Jarig regeringsjubileum van koningin Wilhelmina 1938

Franz Ziegler created this print to commemorate Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands’ fortieth year on the throne. Wilhelmina became queen at the tender age of ten, and her reign coincided with pivotal moments in Dutch history, from World War I through the interwar period, and into the beginning of World War II. The print uses a triptych format to depict the queen in three distinct poses. The queen is flanked by images of her son-in-law and daughter, Prince Bernhard and Princess Juliana. Symbols of monarchy and nationhood, like the Dutch coat of arms, crowns, and royal regalia, are placed throughout. What does it mean to depict leadership as a dynastic affair? What does it mean to consolidate it in a female body? Ziegler’s print blends national pride with intimate family portraits, inviting us to consider the emotional weight of monarchy. Even as Wilhelmina navigated political turmoil, she remained a symbol of stability. In times of upheaval, how does a leader balance public duty and private emotion?