Per Degn falder i rædsel på knæ for fogeden 1770 - 1772

J.F. Clemens created this engraving depicting a scene titled "Per Degn falder i rædsel på knæ for fogeden." Produced during a time of significant social stratification, this work encapsulates the fraught power dynamics between the peasantry and the authorities. The image portrays a clergyman kneeling in terror before an officer of the court. The officer, towering over the clergyman, is depicted with a turban and a raised rod, symbols of dominance and control. This stark contrast highlights the vulnerability of the lower classes when confronted by the state's representatives. The clergyman’s emotional display of fear, further emphasizes this imbalance. Consider the socio-economic context of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where class distinctions were deeply entrenched and the law often favored the elite. Clemens's work is more than a historical depiction; it’s a poignant reflection on social injustice. It invites us to reflect on the timeless themes of oppression, fear, and the abuse of power.