Kong Christian V 1670s

Hubert Schaten’s engraving portrays King Christian V amidst a symphony of symbols. Royal authority is asserted by the crown, whilst angels herald his reign, trumpeting his glory with divine approval, framing the king within a visual declaration of power sanctioned from above. But let us consider how these motifs echo through time. The image of the ruler, framed and celebrated by celestial figures, harkens back to classical antiquity where emperors were depicted with gods and personifications of virtues. These cherubic figures are updated versions of classical putti that transcended the ages and reappeared during the Renaissance. They still persisted into the Baroque period as carriers of messages and divine blessings, yet the symbol has been secularized, repurposed to legitimize worldly authority. Observe the inscription "Pietate et Justitia"—Piety and Justice. These virtues, once associated with gods, are now attributes of the ideal ruler, suggesting a continuity of moral expectations, yet subtly shifted from divine to human agency. Thus, the symbols in this engraving are not static emblems but vessels carrying the currents of cultural memory. They invite us to reflect on how power is constructed and legitimized, evolving across centuries, rooted in the depths of our collective consciousness.