Twee handelsetiketten met portret van Frederik IV, koning van Denemarken en Noorwegen 1699 - 1740

Isaac Vincentsz. van der Vinne created these two trade labels featuring Frederik IV, King of Denmark and Norway, in the late 17th or early 18th century. This small print gives us a sense of the visual strategies used to shore up royal power. Note the heraldic devices, lions, and lavish ornamentation, all working to convey an image of authority. Produced in the Netherlands, these labels offer an insight into the network of trade that was emerging at this time. The Dutch Republic was a major commercial power, with trade routes crisscrossing the globe. By placing Frederik IV on a trade label, the producers of these goods aligned themselves with royal power. This imagery suggests they hoped to secure a measure of prestige for their wares. Studying prints such as this can reveal the complex interplay between political power, economic activity, and artistic production in early modern Europe. We can delve into the archives of trading companies and royal households to understand it further.