Bernstorff fra Fortunen 1763 - 1809

Elias Meyer created this print of Bernstorff Palace from Fortunen sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The Palace itself was a symbol of power and status during an era of significant social stratification, acting as a countryside retreat for the wealthy Bernstorff family. In the print, we see not just the palace, but also figures in the landscape. This inclusion highlights the relationship between the land, the elite, and the laboring classes who maintained these spaces. The palace and grounds were not just aesthetic; they were central to the economic and social structures of the time. Meyer’s work encapsulates a specific moment in Danish history, inviting us to consider the complex narratives of ownership, labor, and representation embedded within seemingly bucolic scenes. It makes us question who is allowed to take leisure and at what cost.