Caroline Mathilde, Christian VII's Queen 1769

Jens Juel painted this oil on canvas portrait of Caroline Mathilde, Queen Consort of Denmark and Norway, sometime in the late 18th century. The portrait presents us with the visual codes that signify royal status in the period: expensive fabrics, extravagant furs, delicate lace, and elaborate hairstyles. But Caroline Mathilde's story is more complex than this image suggests. She was married to King Christian VII in an arranged marriage at a young age. Christian was known to have mental health issues, and the marriage was not a success. Caroline Mathilde had an affair and was eventually exiled. Portraits like this played a crucial role in constructing and maintaining the image of the monarchy. But history gives us the tools to understand the often-troubled reality behind the façade. Contemporary court documents and biographies can reveal much about the circumstances behind its creation. With careful historical research, we can begin to understand the social conditions that shaped its production, presentation, and reception.