Portret van Maria II Stuart 1688 - 1711

This is Pieter Schenk's portrait of Maria II Stuart, made in an engraving of 342 by 251 mm. The composition is a formal arrangement, typical of royal portraiture. Maria is centrally placed, her figure anchoring the composition. The artist uses light and shadow to create depth and texture, particularly noticeable in the drapery and foliage surrounding her. This technique not only highlights Maria's regal presence but also adds a layer of complexity to the scene, inviting a reading of power dynamics through visual cues. Note the inclusion of a young Black page holding a basket of fruit. This detail is not merely decorative; it's a signifier of wealth and colonial power, reflecting the socio-political context of the time. Schenk's piece is a formal exercise in the semiotics of power, where each element contributes to a narrative of status, wealth, and colonial reach. The portrait, therefore, becomes a site for interrogating the historical and cultural codes embedded within its visual structure.