Arveprinsesse Sofie Frederikke med arveprinsen (Chr. VIII) 1795

Gerhard Ludvig Lahde made this drawing of Princess Sofie Frederikke with her son, later King Christian VIII, using pen and brown ink, with grey wash on paper. The composition is immediately striking because the figures are contained within an oval frame, creating a sense of intimacy and enclosure. The delicate lines and subtle washes of grey articulate the figures with minimal yet effective detail. The faces and the flowing drapery of their garments convey a sense of tenderness. Lahde uses the graphic medium to explore themes of motherhood and royal lineage. The composition directs our attention to the relationship between mother and child, emphasizing familial bonds and the passing of time. The choice of a circular frame, a motif that recurs throughout art history, suggests continuity and cycles, perhaps alluding to the cyclical nature of dynastic succession. The unfinished quality of the drawing—with its lightly sketched lower portion—invites contemplation on the nature of representation itself. The artwork underscores that representation is not just about capturing likeness but also about constructing meaning through form and composition.