Tredje udkast til maleri af Caroline Mathilde og Frederik 1771

Peder Als created this delicate watercolour drawing titled "Third Draft for a Painting of Caroline Mathilde and Frederik" sometime in the 18th century, now residing at the SMK in Copenhagen. The artwork is dominated by soft pastels and gentle curves that immediately evoke a sense of tranquility and intimacy. Caroline Mathilde reclines languidly on a green sofa, her pink dress cascading around her, while young Frederik stands formally by her side. Als’s delicate use of colour and line is striking; the pink of Caroline’s dress is echoed in the subtle hues of her complexion, creating a visual harmony that speaks to the aesthetic ideals of the Rococo period. The composition itself is carefully structured. The horizontal line of the sofa and the receding perspective of the room create a sense of depth. The artist uses colour to convey power relations. The green and the pink are not only aesthetically pleasing but also function as cultural codes denoting femininity and aristocratic refinement. Als's rendering of light and shadow, especially the soft gradations on Caroline’s dress, invites us to consider the performative aspects of royal portraiture. The work functions as a sign, laden with cultural and historical meanings, that reflect the values and concerns of its time.