Vignet til Frederik IV's Salvingsakt 1749

Curator: It strikes me as incredibly detailed, almost lace-like in its intricacy. The contrast between the stark ink and the blank paper is quite effective. Editor: This is "Vignet til Frederik IV's Salvingsakt," a drawing and engraving by Odvardt Helmoldt de Lode, dating back to 1749. It’s held here at the SMK. As the title suggests, it’s related to the coronation of King Frederick IV. Curator: Coronation… that makes sense, given the regalia – the crown and scepter. I’m immediately drawn to the cherubs, the garlands of flowers, the ornate framework... how were these prints typically disseminated? Was this part of a larger publication? Editor: Precisely! Prints like these were critical in disseminating imagery and solidifying royal power. They would have been circulated to solidify Frederick IV's authority and grandeur, shaping public perception of the monarchy. These were integral to performing power through image production, carefully staged for maximum symbolic impact. Curator: It’s amazing to consider the process – the physical labor of etching this elaborate design onto a plate, and the press required. The engraver would have relied on specialist artisans at every stage. These luxury materials and craft put it above common, daily visual cultures. Editor: Indeed, consider where this object resides now—the Statens Museum for Kunst—reinforcing its value and enshrining a particular narrative around Danish history. We, in turn, add another layer through interpretation and display. Curator: The survival of these prints speaks volumes, also. I want to think more about access, too; these ceremonial tools, and objects are now widely viewed. What shifts can we identify when transitioning such items to wider audiences? Editor: The print transforms the singular event of the coronation into a repeatable, distributable object, changing it from a physical display of power into something reproducible for an audience far wider than just those physically present at the ceremony. Curator: A lasting echo, crafted and meticulously reproduced to secure the king’s reign, quite powerful to experience even centuries later. Editor: Yes, and its continuing resonance invites reflection on the very construction and perpetuation of authority across the ages.