Frederik V til hest 1758

This bronze equestrian statue of Frederik V was made by Jacques Saly, a French sculptor who worked in Denmark in the 18th century. Equestrian statues like this were a key element of royal self-fashioning in Europe. The image creates meaning through visual codes that evoke historical associations. Horseback riding was associated with the aristocracy, and Frederik's laurel wreath is a visual reference to classical antiquity. These are artistic devices used to suggest the legitimacy and naturalness of a ruler's power and authority. Saly was appointed director of the Copenhagen Academy in 1754 and would have understood how to communicate meaning through artistic institutions. Does it critique the institutions of art? To understand artworks like this, we can research the political and intellectual contexts in which they were produced. What kinds of social and institutional forces were at play in 18th-century Denmark? By connecting art to its wider context, we can better understand its role in the history of power.