"Kongegravene i Ringsted Kirke". Planche XV 1858

Heinrich Hansen created this print of objects from the royal tombs in Ringsted Church, likely in the mid-19th century. He used a traditional printmaking process, probably etching or engraving, to carefully depict fragments of textiles and other burial artifacts. The print isolates details that would otherwise be lost in the dimness of the tombs. The patterns in the woven cloth, the delicate weave, and the way the fabric has deteriorated over time, all speak to the skill involved in the original making of the textiles, and their subsequent decay. Notice the human hair, still plaited, a poignant reminder of the individuals buried there. Hansen’s print isn’t just a record; it's an act of preservation, transforming fragile, decaying objects into a permanent image. By focusing on the materiality of these remnants, he invites us to consider the labor, artistry, and ultimately, the human presence embedded within them, blurring the line between historical record and art.