Charlotte van Pallandt
(1898 -1997)
Koningin Wilhelmina (Queen Wilhelmina) (1967/1998)
Signed, dated 1967 and 1998 and numbered 5 (of an edition of 10) on the reverse lower edge
Bronze, H. 51.9 cm
Provenance:
– Kunsthandel Lambert Tegenbosch, Heusden
– Acquired from the above by the present owner
Note:
Registered at the RKD – Netherlands Institute for Art History in The Hague under number 168028 (another cast illustrated).

Charlotte van Pallandt, a notable female sculptor of her time, played a significant role in the post-1945 sculptural art scene. Her contribution to the thriving art movement was exemplified by her creation of a sculpture depicting Queen Wilhelmina as the embodiment of courage and determination. Winston Churchill himself remarked during the war that: “There is but one man and that is Queen Wilhelmina.”

The sculpture portrays Wilhelmina as a robust, triangular figure, capturing her essence. She is depicted wearing a long coat with a fur collar and a hat that partially obscures her face. With her arms held firmly at her sides, she exudes an unwavering resolve. To create this masterpiece, Van Pallandt drew inspiration from photographs taken of the queen during the unveiling of a war monument by Mari Andriessen in 1958.

The impact of this sculpture was such that larger stone and bronze versions were installed as monuments to Queen Wilhelmina in Rotterdam and The Hague. Considered one of Van Pallandt’s most significant works, it solidified her position as one of the leading sculptors in the Netherlands. Wim Pijbes, former director of the Rijksmuseum: “Van Pallandt left an extensive oeuvre, of which this is her masterpiece” (NRC Handelsblad, 25 April 2020).
* Condition report available upon request