The Danish Royal Coat of Arms 1726 - 1757

Odvardt Helmoldt de Lode created this version of the Danish Royal Coat of Arms as an etching sometime in the mid-18th century. Images of coats of arms like this one were a way to assert power and legitimacy at a time when national identities were still being defined. De Lode’s image is not just a symbol of royal authority, but also an assertion of Denmark's cultural and historical connections to Europe. The inclusion of classical figures would have resonated with the educated elite, who were steeped in classical literature and art. As an art historian, I would be interested in researching the specific historical context in which this print was made. Who was the intended audience? What political events might have influenced its design? By examining these questions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between art, power, and national identity in 18th-century Denmark.