Portræt af dronning Margaretha 1792

This is a portrait of Queen Margaretha, made by Gerhard Ludvig Lahde, using engraving. The image, dominated by monochrome lines, presents us with a highly structured composition. Lahde employs hatching and cross-hatching to define form, giving depth to the Queen's features and attire. Notice how the oval frame containing the Queen is itself framed by rectangular patterns, creating a sense of enclosure. The precise lines and formal arrangement suggest an intent to convey authority and stateliness. Engraving, as a medium, inherently deals with reproducing images and disseminating information. The detailed rendering of Queen Margaretha serves not merely as a likeness, but as a structured representation of power. Consider the ways in which Lahde’s choices, from line to composition, shape our reading of the subject, embedding cultural meanings within the artwork’s formal qualities.