Artwork

Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Wilhelmina (Sa Très Gracieuse Majesté La Reine Wilhelmine)

Paul Berthon , 1901

Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Wilhelmina (Sa Très Gracieuse Majesté La Reine Wilhelmine) is a print by Paul Berthon. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paul Berthon’s 1901 print, titled *Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Wilhelmina* (Sa Très Gracieuse Majesté La Reine Wilhelmine), is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a stylised portrait of a woman in profile, rendered in a muted palette of golds and creams, and framed by an indistinct landscape that suggests windmills under a pale sky.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is intended to evoke the Dutch monarch, Queen Wilhelmina, though the likeness is idealised rather than strictly documentary. She is shown with a high lace collar, an ornate headpiece set with a golden brooch, and a simple flowing dress, suggesting both regal dignity and a restrained elegance associated with early‑twentieth‑century portraiture.

Technique & Style

Berthon employed the printmaking techniques typical of the Art Nouveau period, using delicate line work and flat areas of colour to create a harmonious composition. The soft, warm tones and decorative motifs—such as the oversized leaf and floral accents on the sleeve—reflect the era’s fascination with natural forms and ornamental detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1901, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific donor information not recorded in the source). It remains catalogued under its French title, acknowledging the bilingual nature of its original presentation.

Context

The image aligns with a broader trend of early twentieth‑century European prints that celebrated national figures through stylised, decorative portraiture. By portraying Queen Wilhelmina in a manner that blends regal iconography with Art Nouveau aesthetics, Berthon contributes to the visual culture that both honored and modernised monarchical representation.