Kongelig stafet 1807

Editor: This watercolor drawing, "Kongelig Stafet," made in 1807 by Johannes Senn, is interesting! I'm struck by how crisply rendered the rider and horse are against such a simple background. It feels very poised, almost staged. How would you interpret this work? Curator: The visual language here evokes both power and vulnerability, doesn’t it? Consider the symbolism inherent in the rider’s attire. The bright red uniform with ornate detailing suggests authority and valor, deeply embedded in a military context. But then, look at the delicate, almost melancholic, expression on the rider’s face and consider the frenetic, yet graceful, movement of the horse. Editor: I see what you mean. The horse is mid-stride, full of energy, while the rider looks almost…resigned. Is there a story being told in those contrasts? Curator: Perhaps a story about duty and constraint. Horses often symbolize freedom and unbridled passion, yet here, it's clearly under the control of the rider. What about the baton-like object he carries? Consider, what meaning would a 'royal relay' or baton convey in that historical period? Editor: It really emphasizes the role and responsibility of the individual within a larger structure, the ‘Kongelig’ suggesting the Danish Royal family, then. It gives a face to the more abstract notions of duty and service to the monarchy. I hadn’t thought of it that way! Curator: Exactly. And by stripping away excess background detail, the artist draws our eye to the figure as a representation of something greater than just an individual on horseback. It also immortalizes the relationship between citizens and crown at that particular time. Editor: So it’s not just a pretty picture, it’s a kind of… snapshot of a cultural dynamic! I never would have looked at it that deeply on my own. Curator: Indeed! That's the beautiful thing about delving into the iconography.