Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina (1770-1819). Prinses van Oranje-Nassau. Dochter van Willem V en Wilhelmina van Pruisen

About this artwork

drager: diameter 5,5 cm

Art Historical Context

This delicate ivory portrait medallion captures Princess Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina (0-1819) at the tender age of 13. Created by the artist De Saint-Ligié in 1783, it just 5.5 cm in diameter, making it a exquisite example of 18th-century miniature art. Crafted from ivory—a prized medium for its smooth, luminous quality that allowed for intricate carving and fine detail—this small, portable piece (6.5 cm high, 6 cm wide, 0.7 cm deep) was likely designed as a personal keepsake or jewelry element, cherished by nobility for its intimacy and portability. Frederica was the daughter of William V, Prince of Orange and Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and Wilhelmina of Prussia, whose family ties linked the Netherlands to European royalty. Painted amid political unrest, including the Patriottentijd (Patriot Revolt) of the 1780s, the portrait reflects the opulence and dynastic pride of the House of Orange-Nassau just before the Batavian Revolution upended the republic. Ivory miniatures like this showcased masterful techniques in relief carving, where artists exploited the material's translucency to evoke lifelike skin tones and expressions. Housed in the Rijksmuseum, it offers a glimpse into Enlightenment-era portraiture, blending technical virtuosity with the era's fascination for intimate royal imagery. A true gem for admirers of historical craftsmanship!