Vignet til Frederik V's Søkrigsartikelsbrev 1754 - 1758

Odvardt Helmoldt de Lode created this vignette for Frederik V's Søkrigsartikelsbrev using engraving. The print presents a symbolic tableau of Danish naval power. We see cannons, anchors, and a crowned lion holding a shield, all traditional symbols of state authority. Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, stands guard, his trident pointing towards a fleet of ships on the horizon. Made in Denmark, the vignette likely accompanied official documents outlining naval regulations under King Frederik V. The piece reflects the importance of maritime strength for a nation dependent on trade and colonial power. The lion bearing a crown makes the image more conservative than progressive, since the country's values appear to be in line with royalty. The vignette underscores the visual language of power and the ways in which images were deployed to reinforce institutional authority. Historical archives, including naval records and royal decrees, offer valuable context for interpreting the vignette. By situating such images within their specific social and institutional contexts, we gain a deeper understanding of their intended meaning and impact.