Frederik I 1750s

Jonas Haas made this print of Frederik I sometime in the 18th century. The process of making it would have begun with an image, carefully inscribed into a copper plate with a tool called a burin. Look closely, and you can see how the density of the lines creates areas of light and shadow. The engraver was not only responsible for depicting the King, but also for conveying a sense of his power and authority. Consider the rich fabrics and furs, the crown displayed on the table – all rendered through the meticulous labour of the printmaker. The print would have allowed the image of the King to circulate widely, to be consumed by a broad public. So, while this portrait may seem quite traditional, it also reflects the dynamics of a rapidly changing, media-saturated world. It asks us to reconsider our conventional separation of craft, design, and art.