Portret van Emma, koningin-regentes der Nederlanden c. 1880 - 1890

This is a portrait of Emma, queen-regent of the Netherlands, captured by Johan Christiaan Reesinck. The print’s sepia tones create a muted yet dignified representation of the queen, enclosed within an oval frame that softens the image, suggesting a kind of intimacy. Consider how the artist used the formal elements to convey meaning. The composition directs our gaze to Queen Emma’s profile, carefully positioned within the frame to balance formality with approachability. Reesinck’s choice to emphasize the texture of her hair and the delicate fabric of her dress draws attention to the material culture surrounding royalty, subtly reinforcing her status through visual cues. The oval format is interesting because of its semiotic function, operating as a signifier of classical portraiture, yet it also confines the subject, presenting an interplay between tradition and the constraints of representation. This portrait thus serves not only as a record but also as a carefully constructed symbol of monarchy and representation.