Hygæa ofrer for Bernstorffs sundhed 1795

This print of Hygieia making an offering for Bernstorff's health was created by Heinrich Grosch. This allegorical depiction of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, relates to the social context of public health and governance. It invokes classical imagery to celebrate Count Bernstorff, likely for his contributions to public welfare, a theme that was becoming important in governance during the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe. The act of offering suggests a plea for divine intervention to ensure Bernstorff's continued good health, reflecting the era's reliance on both reason and faith. As historians, we can delve into period documents and institutional records to understand Bernstorff's specific contributions and the broader societal values attached to public health at the time. We can use this to analyze how art served to legitimize political figures and their agendas.