Portret van koningin Wilhelmina 1874 - 1900

This is Jan Veth’s portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, made with graphite on paper. It is fascinating to observe how Veth deploys the humble medium of pencil to portray a figure of immense power. The soft, almost velvety texture achieved with graphite lends a gentle quality to the Queen's features, in contrast to the sharp, glittering crown that adorns her head and the fur stole around her shoulders. You can almost imagine Veth gently layering the graphite, building up tone and form with each delicate stroke. Note the careful and controlled strokes used to depict the different textures. The choice of such a modest medium invites us to consider the social context of the artwork. Graphite, while accessible, demands skill and precision. It is a medium through which an artist can convey both the delicacy of form and the weight of social status. So, when we look at this portrait, it is important to appreciate not only the artist's skill, but the social and material context in which it was created. This challenges our conventional understanding of art and craft.