Frederik VI 1846

Erling Eckersberg made this print of Frederik VI sometime in the nineteenth century. The king is shown in profile, wearing a military uniform adorned with medals. Frederik VI ruled Denmark during a turbulent period, including the Napoleonic Wars, which had a profound impact on the country's economy and political landscape. As such, portraiture of the time was used as a tool of state, presenting the ruler as a figure of power and stability amid social upheaval. The very production and circulation of this image would have been tightly controlled by the royal court. In understanding the role of this image, we can examine the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations embedded within it. For example, the king's military attire and medals convey authority. To truly understand the portrait’s significance, historians look at things such as official records, personal letters, and newspaper articles. The meaning of art changes depending on its social and institutional context.