Kong Harald IV 1646

This engraving of Kong Harald IV was made at an unknown date, by an anonymous artist. Here we see the Danish king in an oval frame, adorned with text which translates as 'he reigned 165 years and died in 714 AD.' Of course, this is complete nonsense, since King Harald IV of Denmark died in 1135 AD. It is a complete fabrication, referencing a mythical king. The use of such 'facts' in an engraved portrait tells us a lot about the social function of the image. It was likely intended to create a symbolic connection to a regal past. It doesn't matter whether it is truthful, it matters that it appears to be old. We can use sources such as genealogies and chronicles to uncover the history of this portrait. By understanding the institutions that commissioned and circulated such images, we can begin to grasp their significance.