Dronning Charlotte Amalie 1672 - 1676

Curator: Welcome. We are standing before a print made sometime between 1672 and 1676 by Hubert Schaten, titled "Dronning Charlotte Amalie," which, of course, translates to Queen Charlotte Amalie. It's an engraving and falls squarely into the Baroque tradition. Editor: Oh, wow, my first thought? Impenetrable. She's like this tiny, stoic figure drowned in fabric and looming architecture. You know, like a doll imprisoned inside an ornate stage set. Curator: Well, yes, that sense of contained power is partly intentional. Portraiture of this era was less about capturing personality than conveying status, dynastic stability. Here we see Charlotte Amalie, not as a woman, but as a symbol of the Danish monarchy. Editor: Absolutely, but look at all the fussy details. The drapery, the steps, even the wisps of her hair all feel… strategic. It’s as if the artist has amplified her presence within the visual field, but almost ironically diminished her personal expression. It's very ornate, yet…empty? Curator: The ornate style you notice reflects the aesthetic preferences of the Baroque period, of course, emphasizing grandeur. Prints like these played a significant role in disseminating royal imagery, reaching a wider audience, consolidating the Queen’s authority and affirming her status. Editor: So this print wasn't exactly spontaneous. It wasn't necessarily done with personal insights from the artist to convey meaning. So where are you drawing the ideas, impressions, and interpretations here then? Curator: Very little is accidental in court portraiture. Even details such as her gaze or the tilt of her head served a purpose within the overall message of authority. It's all strategic communication, the visual language of power in 17th-century Denmark. Editor: Makes you wonder what Charlotte Amalie would have thought, if she had any say, you know? This makes me think a lot about what an audio guide might offer visitors… beyond names, dates, facts, context etc.. There are these moments of personal insight! It allows people to make a choice, not just know how and when it came about. It needs space for those thoughts. Curator: Agreed. A fruitful discussion indeed. Editor: For sure.