Wilhelmina van Pruisen, prinses van Oranje-Nassau 1787

This petite portrait of Wilhelmina van Pruisen, prinses van Oranje-Nassau, is an anonymous creation rendered in gold. The piece captivates with its miniature scale and intricate detailing. A profile bust is framed by a delicate border of small spheres. What strikes me most is the tension between the flatness of the relief and the illusion of depth created by the modeling of Wilhelmina's features and elaborate hairstyle. The use of gold as a medium speaks to the subject's elevated social standing, a marker of wealth and power. The oval form, contained by the frame, creates a sense of containment and idealization, typical of portraiture during this era. This formal structure reflects the hierarchical values of the time, where even personal identity was often framed within social and political contexts. The piece is not merely a likeness, but a carefully constructed representation of status and authority.