Bust King Willem-Alexander

About this artwork.

The bust of King Willem-Alexander was commissioned by the municipality of Groningen by artist Marilyn Josiena (born 1965).

State portraits can often be seen in government buildings such as courtrooms and town halls. There is no obligation for government agencies in the Netherlands to have a state portrait, but it is seen as good practice. When the town hall was renovated in 2022, a state portrait was not chosen as it used to hang in the council chamber. The municipality has chosen to have a local artist make a bronze bust of the Majesty.

Marilyn Josiena graduated in 1990 from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Since her studies she has mainly been involved in portraiture. Portraits in pencil, clay and stone. Nothing is more fascinating than trying to create life out of the dead material of clay and stone. Marilyn sees it as a challenge to capture the character and personality or soul in a portrait by playing with light and dark, line and plane, fine nuances and gradations, so that the portrait comes to life and becomes more than just a snapshot.

The bust was originally made in oil-based clay, this way the work does not dry out. The material is light and with it images can be made that seem to ignore gravity, making the whole a lighter and more lively whole.

For the image of our Majesty, she searched the internet for photos that most expressed the personality and character. She found this most often when Willem-Alexander was in the company of his family. She has placed it in a friendly and committed manner, by placing it free from the pedestal it seems to be released from its place. Which enhances the liveliness.

Facts & Figures.

• Artist(s)
  Marilyn Josiena

• Year of creation
  2023

• Collection
  Town Hall Collection

• Technic
  Bronze