Portret van een meisje, bekend als 'Het prinsesje' 1875 - 1876

Johannes Arnoldus Boland made this print, titled ‘Portret van een meisje, bekend als ‘Het prinsesje’', or Portrait of a girl, known as 'The Little Princess', sometime in the late 19th century. The girl’s elaborate dress, large lace collar, and jeweled brooch mark her as a member of the Dutch elite. Boland, born in 1838, lived in an era of significant social change in the Netherlands. While the monarchy remained, the rise of a wealthy merchant class and burgeoning industrialization led to new social dynamics. This portrait reflects the values of the Dutch upper class, emphasizing the importance of lineage, status, and tradition. The choice of a traditional style, reminiscent of earlier Dutch Masters, underscores a sense of continuity and historical identity. Art historians can look to sources such as genealogical records, fashion history, and economic data from the Netherlands in order to place this image into its proper social and institutional context. The “Little Princess” gives insight into the priorities of a society undergoing radical transformation.