Portret van Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1900

This is a portrait of Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, made by Wegner & Mottu. The photograph captures Wilhelmina at a pivotal moment in her reign. Here is a young woman stepping into immense power at a time of significant social change. The image shows her adorned with the symbols of monarchy: the tiara, pearls, and sash, but the figure seems surprisingly approachable. It invites us to consider the expectations placed upon female leaders, then and now. Did she embrace or resist the traditional role of queen? Did she shape it to her own ideals? The photograph makes me think about the emotional weight of leadership, especially for women in historically male-dominated spheres. This image provides a lens through which we can examine the complexities of gender, power, and representation, inviting reflection on both the historical context and its contemporary resonances.