Dronning Bengerd 1771

Curator: Take a look at "Dronning Bengerd," a 1771 engraving by Meno Haas, currently residing at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: My immediate impression is of someone trapped within the rigid constraints of royal expectation. Despite the finery, there's an air of somber resignation. The figure's pose is stiff, almost doll-like. Curator: The print, representative of academic art, is evocative of how the public role of queens was perceived at the time, both idealized and constrained. Editor: It is definitely interesting to explore how Queen Bengerd is presented, situated amidst powerful symbols and yet simultaneously rendered powerless within this formal representation. Was this Haas’ own interpretation or a reflection of the dominating view? Curator: Such portraits circulated widely, reinforcing and solidifying the status of powerful individuals and institutions within the popular imaginary of the time. Editor: What kind of cultural narratives would these depictions propagate? Gendered notions of power? What were the viewers’ projected attitudes? Curator: Exactly. By carefully choosing to showcase not only her power through dress, jewelry, and symbols, but also to highlight the importance of this portrait's accessibility as a printed reproduction to further perpetuate a royal narrative and political climate in 18th century Denmark. Editor: Examining who this portrayal serves gives rise to many perspectives: the engraver who seeks to cater to powerful institutions and secure financial solvency, or Bengerd who wields influence. It definitely invites a lot of considerations beyond face value! Curator: I appreciate how this dialogue allows us to consider a range of social and artistic conditions that defined 18th-century royal portraiture in Denmark. Editor: For me, this glimpse into Bengerd underscores the relevance of artworks in critiquing the present socio-cultural dynamics that pervade through power dynamics.