Standbeeld voor Wilhelmina van Pruisen, 1786 1787

This anonymous print from 1786 at the Rijksmuseum is a potent symbol of Wilhelmina of Prussia's complex position in Dutch society. Created to commemorate her assertion of rights against the States of Holland, the print reflects the tense political climate of the Dutch Republic and Wilhelmina's entanglement within it. The central figure, Wilhelmina, stands as a statue, spear in hand, her foot resting on a theatrical mask, symbolizing the defeat of pretense and falsehood. To her left, a kneeling figure offers homage, while on the right, we see symbols of political maneuvering and foreign interference. The radiant light above suggests divine approval. It's impossible to ignore Wilhelmina's gender in this context. As a woman in a position of power, she challenged traditional expectations, becoming a figure of both admiration and controversy. The print attempts to solidify her image as a defender of the nation, yet it also reveals the vulnerability inherent in her position, subject to the whims and judgments of a patriarchal society. This image then, is not just a portrait, but a historical document, capturing a moment of political tension, and the fraught dynamics of gender and power in the late 18th century.