Portret van Wilhelmina van Pruisen 1904

This portrait of Wilhelmina van Pruisen, was made by Verlagsanstalt Fr. Bruckmann, and it’s like stepping into a sepia-toned dream. There’s a muted palette here, where the artist seems to be feeling around for form and volume through mark making, that feels totally contemporary. It’s like, what do we mean by process and materials? Look closely, and you’ll see the textures. There’s a tension between the smooth sheen of her dress, achieved through the skilled application of pigment, and the wispy, almost ethereal quality of her hair. The folds of the fabric are rendered with such precision, you can almost hear the rustle of silk. Notice the soft gradient of light across her face, how it catches the curve of her cheek, giving her an almost melancholic air. This piece reminds me a little of Marlene Dumas’ portraits, in the way it captures a mood and a sense of interiority, using a limited palette and a focus on the emotional resonance of the subject. I love how it leaves room for ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the table.