Et herresæde 18th century

H.G. de Lillienskjold created this print of "Et herresæde" in the 17th century using engraving. This work offers a glimpse into the architecture and social hierarchy of the Danish Golden Age, a time when the country sought to consolidate power and wealth. The print meticulously depicts a manor house, complete with a moat and drawbridge which signified the owner's elevated status and control over their domain. The house stands as a potent symbol of the landed gentry, whose power was inextricably linked to the exploitation of land and labor, including that of tenant farmers and servants. The work invites us to consider the relationships between wealth, power, and representation. It not only reflects the societal values of the time but also prompts questions about the legacy of such systems. The manor house is more than a building; it’s a stage upon which dramas of class, ownership, and identity are perpetually enacted.