Frederik II Builds Kronborg Castle at Elsinore 1781

Nicolai Abildgaard made this oil on canvas painting titled 'Frederik II Builds Kronborg Castle at Elsinore'. The artist, working in the late 1700s, employs traditional methods and materials, applying thin layers of pigment to create depth and texture on the canvas. But it is also important to consider the subject of the painting, which shows the construction of a castle. The castle isn’t only a physical structure, but represents an immense amount of human labor and resources. The castle itself is a material expression of power, built through the labor of countless individuals, many of whom would have been working class. The artist’s choice to depict this scene invites reflection on the social and economic structures inherent in such a monumental undertaking. Paying attention to the materiality and processes behind both the artwork and its subject expands our understanding, challenging traditional art historical perspectives and offering insights into the relationship between art, labor, and power.