Emblem of the Elephant Order 1580

Curator: Good morning, everyone. Today, we're looking at Melchior Lorck's "Emblem of the Elephant Order," created around 1580. It's a print, specifically a woodcut and engraving, and currently resides at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: It's quite striking, isn’t it? Immediately, the weight of the image stands out to me. All that detailed linework makes the elephant and the tower feel incredibly substantial, like monumental brass rather than a simple print. Curator: The "Elephant Order" was a Danish order of chivalry. The piece functions on multiple levels: It is of course about status, aristocracy, the self-aggrandizement of monarchy… Editor: But look closer: The production value screams elite workshop. Think of the time needed to carve those lines into wood, the precision... This isn't just about the king's image, it's about a complex ecosystem of labor. Curator: Precisely. This print served a crucial public relations role, solidifying the king’s power by associating him with symbols of strength and wisdom…and by subtly reminding everyone who controlled artistic production at the time. The elephant itself was meant to convey a multitude of characteristics, not only the might but temperance of a proper ruler. Editor: And the elephant is literally carrying a castle! That architectural structure bearing the king’s image dwarfs the animal supporting it, which is very interesting from the standpoint of labor. It presents that complex system where even magnificent animals must support the heavy edifice of social order…an order created, upheld, and maintained by human hands. Curator: Don’t forget that the print also speaks to European encounters with exotic animals during this era of expanding global trade. But I think you are quite correct that it uses both real and symbolic elements to articulate royal authority. Editor: A symbol manufactured through skillful, and decidedly human, material manipulation. Curator: A beautiful demonstration of image, institution, and power working together. Editor: Absolutely, a dense web of making, meaning, and messages we are still unpacking.