Peder Griffenfeld 1703 - 1757

Johann Christoph Sysang created this print of Peder Griffenfeld sometime in the first half of the 18th century. It commemorates a controversial figure in Danish history, ennobled and then disgraced. The print presents Griffenfeld as a figure of power, framed by draped fabric and heraldic symbols, wearing an ermine-trimmed coat and knightly insignia. It's a visual construction of status, but the title below hints at the complexities of Griffenfeld's story. Born Peder Schumacher, he rose to become Count Griffenfeld and Royal Secretary, wielding immense influence during the reign of King Christian V. Yet, he was later accused of treason and stripped of his titles. Prints like this played a crucial role in shaping public memory. Griffenfeld’s story, a favorite of historians, reveals the tensions inherent in societies where status and power are both conferred and contested. Investigating such images, using sources from state archives to personal letters, reminds us that art is always entangled with the political and institutional contexts of its time.