Taushed og troskab bekranser det slesvigske vaaben 1748 - 1831

Curator: Let’s take a look at "Taushed og troskab bekranser det slesvigske vaaben," or “Secrecy and loyalty encircle the Schleswig coat of arms.” It’s a drawing by J.F. Clemens, made sometime between 1748 and 1831, and it resides here at the SMK. Editor: The draftsmanship immediately grabs me – the softness of the graphite and pencil strokes. It feels like a preliminary sketch, perhaps for something grander. A very neoclassical, idealized scene, but in these delicate materials. Curator: It's definitely academic in its style. We see these allegorical figures, a man bearing a spear, and a woman adorning a coat of arms with a wreath. The theme of loyalty, clearly referencing the Schleswig region, reflects the political concerns of the period. Clemens was working in a time of significant shifts in Danish identity and governance. Editor: Indeed, and what's also fascinating is the base upon which they stand; a floriated corbel. That element grounds it for me in a craft tradition as well. What do we make of the dog? He looks like a faithful sentinel or like he has seen a ghost. And consider what this tells us about the artist’s process. The layered pencil work allows us to see his mind at work. Curator: Absolutely, the dog does add an interesting touch of the everyday, within this grand historical scene. It softens the seriousness. Think about who was seeing work like this: other artists, patrons… it might offer insight into contemporary expectations of artistic production. Editor: I agree. This piece really encapsulates Clemens’ skill but also hints at the broader means of visual communication during that period, connecting high art with political symbolism in an interesting and revealing process. Curator: It gives a palpable view into that relationship between loyalty and how it was publicly imaged at the time. Editor: Precisely. Looking at it through that lens offers a more complete picture.