Christian V 1755

Jonas Haas created this engraving of Christian V. We are confronted with a figure adorned in armour, a symbol of power and protection, yet it’s more than mere defense. The armour mirrors the classical cuirass, echoing the Roman emperors' garb. This intentional connection bridges Christian V's reign with a lineage of authority stretching back to antiquity. It's a visual rhetoric that speaks of legacy and inherited power. The baton he holds, a seemingly simple object, resonates with the scepter, emblem of command and divine right. Think of the pharaohs with their staffs, or the medieval monarchs with their jeweled scepters. The baton and its subconscious connection with those old symbols transmits authority. The battlefield shown evokes both triumph and turmoil. A visualization of collective memory, reminding us of our primal instinct for dominance. It speaks of a subconscious desire for security and control, deeply embedded in our shared human experience. It's the eternal recurrence of motifs, constantly resurrected, influencing our perceptions and shaping our understanding of power across generations.