Griffenfeld som Rigskansler 1673 - 1676

Editor: This is a print from the 1670s, "Griffenfeld som Rigskansler," by Johann Husman, currently housed at the SMK. It's an engraved portrait, and I am struck by how formal and carefully constructed the composition is. What catches your eye in this portrait? Curator: The enduring power of symbols. See how Griffenfeld is framed? Ovals signify eternity, perfection. Here, he’s not just a man but an idea, elevated by cherubs and a crown - archetypes alluding to heavenly grace. And his family crest! Such devices visually assert status, knitting the individual into a tapestry of lineage. Do you see the laurel wreaths? Editor: Yes, the wreaths—symbols of victory, right? So it's a multi-layered message. Curator: Exactly! It suggests that Griffenfeld is victorious and powerful. Beyond his personal identity, what story does this constructed image tell about ambition and power during the Baroque era? It isn’t just *him* being depicted. The engraving shows aspirations for immortal status, communicated via accepted visual language. It becomes a sort of cultural script, don't you think? Editor: It’s amazing how many coded meanings are embedded here. I had just seen a man in fancy dress, but it is far more. Curator: And notice the angels. Blowing the horn to spread Griffenfeld´s word. I learn something new with every closer look.