Christian IV 1642

Curator: Simon de Pas created this engraving of Christian IV in 1642. The print resides here at the SMK, and offers a glimpse into a ruler navigating a tumultuous period in Danish history. Editor: My first impression is that it’s quite…formal, and almost austere. There is an intensity in his eyes. It gives a sense of power tempered with perhaps, weariness. Curator: Weariness is apt, I think. Consider the socio-political backdrop: Christian IV led Denmark during the Thirty Years' War. Though he aimed to assert Denmark's power, the reality was financial strain and territorial losses. This image, produced later in his reign, is a careful construction of power aimed to reassure. Editor: It's a fascinating contrast—the intention versus the perceived affect. The line work is intricate, particularly in the lace collar and the details of his doublet, it almost feels obsessive, capturing every minute detail, yet he remains incredibly human. The engraver's focus feels almost like reverence, or maybe even thinly-veiled political messaging through image craft. Curator: Precisely. Printmaking at this time had a very public role. The proliferation of images was an extension of the King's reach. Here, the choice of line engraving emphasizes clarity and precision. There's a deliberate control, meant to convey the image of a stable, authoritative monarch. The ornate details serve less to reveal the true person and more to reify the royal persona. It all boils down to carefully constructed messaging, you see. Editor: It certainly highlights the fascinating interplay between art and power. One cannot but wonder about the 'truth' behind those eyes though, or maybe, behind all rulers caught in history's intricate play? Curator: Perhaps it reminds us that even meticulously crafted images offer just one layer of a complex story. And that the most revealing parts are often the subtexts that flicker in those determined gazes.