The Obelisk erected in Honour of the Statesman J.H.E. Bernstorff in Gentofte, North of Copenhagen 1788

Erik Pauelsen painted this oil on canvas depicting ‘The Obelisk erected in Honour of the Statesman J.H.E. Bernstorff in Gentofte, North of Copenhagen’. This image presents us with a window into the cultural and political life of late 18th-century Denmark. Monuments such as these obelisks weren't just stone; they were statements. The obelisk, set amongst nature, acts as a focal point, drawing our eyes to the commemoration of a statesman. The figures in the image, from the gentry on horseback to the commoners near the obelisk, signal the public role of this monument, while also underscoring existing social structures. The erection of this obelisk speaks volumes about the institutional frameworks of the time. The very act of commissioning and creating such a monument involves networks of patronage, artistic skill, and public endorsement. To understand this work, one needs to delve into the archives, uncovering the social networks and political ideologies that shaped its creation. Only then can we truly grasp its significance.