Louise, Frederik V's First Queen in her Coronation Robes 1747

Curator: Here we have C.G. Pilo's "Louise, Frederik V's First Queen in her Coronation Robes," painted in 1747. An oil painting showcasing the Queen on the occasion of this landmark ceremony. Editor: Gosh, she looks…unimpressed? Almost melancholy despite all the finery. Curator: Indeed! The pose is very formal, standard for royal portraiture, and the clothing certainly telegraphs power. We see the ermine, the elaborate gown…even the crown gets its own little stage to the side. Editor: It's almost comical, that crown there. Like she just took it off because it was too heavy or gave her a headache. There's a vulnerability here despite all the trappings of royalty, a kind of 'being Queen isn’t all it’s cracked up to be' vibe. Curator: The Rococo style certainly lends itself to that complexity. The delicate colors and intricate detail give a sense of fantasy and elegance, but there's also the history painting aspect. Power is on display, meant to communicate Danish dominance to any visiting foreign dignitary to showcase the strength and wealth of the crown. Editor: Power with a sigh, perhaps? The artist has imbued her with an introspective quality, and maybe even weariness. Also, those sleeves are calling to me...I want to paint them. Curator: Ha! Yes, the sleeves are exquisite; you get the sense Pilo truly reveled in capturing the textures. His use of oil paint and even gouache highlights all these sumptuous textures. It really does have that sense of Rococo, light-hearted, and over-the-top design! Editor: It's funny how these portraits become these incredible social documents of both propaganda and humanness all at once. It’s easy to forget the weight that comes with holding responsibility, and the queen may be looking less than overjoyed with how life worked out for her! I wonder if this glimpse could speak about how Pilo viewed his service? Curator: Exactly. Pilo straddles that line masterfully. Seeing the woman *and* the monarch... it's what makes it a compelling image centuries later. Thank you. Editor: Thank you. I wonder how heavy that crown *actually* was… food for thought.