Portret van Frederik V, koning van Denemarken en Noorwegen 1714 - 1746

This print portrays Frederik V, King of Denmark and Norway, and was made by Martin Tyroff in the mid-18th century. The King is framed in an oval portrait set on a pedestal; the trappings of monarchy—the ermine, the elaborate sash, the suggestion of military might in the background—are all present. But what does it mean to see two men of color literally holding up this image of European power? These figures are likely intended to represent the colonies under Danish rule. This image exemplifies how portraits were not just about likeness but were deeply enmeshed with statements of power, especially during the height of European colonialism. It makes us consider the lives and labor of those who were subjugated in order to maintain such displays of authority. It invites a profound reflection on the cost of power and the narratives that art can perpetuate.