"I Anledning af Tidernes Smag" 1787

This engraving, “I Anledning af Tidernes Smag” by H.L.S. Winding, presents a scene laden with symbolism from its time. Central to the composition is a figure on a pole, around which a crowd gathers in various states of engagement. The act of placing a figure on a pole echoes ancient rituals of display and judgment, a motif recurrent in art history across cultures. Think of the Roman practice of displaying captured enemies or the medieval use of pillories. Here, it represents an effigy being hoisted, a symbolic act of public scorn, yet the surrounding figures present a more nuanced tableau. Some seem to participate actively, while others stand back, observing with curiosity or perhaps unease. This interplay reflects the complex and often contradictory nature of public opinion and the evolving ways societies express collective emotions. The scene is not static but alive with conflicting energies that resonate through history and continue to shape our cultural expressions today.