Udsnit af vignet til digt i anledning af Kong Carl Johans kroning 1820

Erling Eckersberg created this vignette for King Carl Johan's coronation with pen and ink. Two cherubic figures flank a plinth, upon which a crown rests, illuminated by a radiant sun. The crown, a potent symbol of royal authority, has roots stretching back to ancient civilizations, evoking images of Roman emperors and medieval monarchs. Here, it represents the divine sanction of earthly rule. The cherubs, reminiscent of classical putti, add an allegorical dimension, suggesting innocence and divine favor bestowed upon the king. These motifs are not isolated; they echo in coronation art across Europe. The sun, an age-old symbol, reappears as a marker of enlightenment and power. It’s fascinating to note its cyclical re-emergence, each time subtly altered, bearing the weight of history and the nuances of cultural memory.