Portret van koningin Wilhelmina, staande naast een stoel 1897

This is a portrait of Queen Wilhelmina by Heinrich Wilhelm Wollrabe, whose date is unknown. The photograph presents Wilhelmina standing beside a chair. The monochromatic tones and the soft focus create an ethereal quality, blurring the distinction between subject and background. This effect diminishes details, emphasizing form over clarity. The composition is vertically oriented, drawing the eye upwards along the Queen's figure, which is positioned centrally. The texture of the photographic print contrasts sharply with the tactile richness of the velvet frame surrounding it, highlighting the constructed nature of the image. Here, representation is mediated through layers of material and technique. The portrait engages with the semiotics of power through composition and presentation and prompts questions about representation, authenticity, and the cultural values embedded within photographic portraiture. Ultimately, the photograph serves as a cultural artifact, reflecting the dynamic interplay between artistic expression, social identity, and power.