Portret van Frederik V, koning van Denemarken 1746 - 1788

Curator: Here we have a striking portrait, an engraving of Frederik V, King of Denmark, dating sometime between 1746 and 1788. The artist was Johann Esaias Nilson. Editor: It's surprisingly elaborate, isn't it? The king is almost overwhelmed by all the ornamentation—wreaths, urns, allegorical figures... a full-blown baroque production! What does the engraving process itself contribute here? Curator: The engraving allows for very fine details and mass production, creating multiple images and disseminating power. It's not just about portraying the King, but about reproducing his image to cement his authority through repeated viewings in different social circles. The *act* of reproduction reinforces the monarchy. Editor: I see your point. It’s interesting, though, that something intended to amplify the King’s image also seems to almost satirize him! The frame is so heavy, all the extra ornamentation becomes quite... fussy. Curator: Absolutely, the material production wasn't disconnected from cultural and even political tensions of the era. While overtly celebrating royalty, it may reflect a certain discomfort, an excessive ornamentation suggesting that this "divine right" might need some visual justification, shall we say? Editor: I'm definitely sensing some ambiguity. Those little cherubs look burdened by all the stuff they have to carry! Is there a critique of labor hidden in this celebratory piece? Curator: That’s an astute observation! It makes you think about the workshops where this piece was engraved. Where were the engravers getting the material? How long did it take to get done? The small inscription under the image indicates its print production, its intended distribution, the network it was designed to inhabit. All things that we don’t initially focus on! Editor: This work offers an interesting peek into the past; it is at once celebration, communication, and commentary. Who knew a royal portrait could be so complex! Curator: Precisely! And all starting with the ink, the metal plate, the paper...and the socio-economic context of their convergence!