Kong Frederik IV 1720s

Andreas Reinhardt created this engraving of Kong Frederik IV, though the exact date remains unknown. Reinhardt, working in a period defined by strict social hierarchies, presents us with more than just a royal portrait; it's a carefully constructed image of power and identity. Consider the elaborate wig, the regal crown held by cherubic figures, and the formal attire. These are not simply aesthetic choices, but deliberate symbols designed to communicate the King's authority and divine right to rule. The engraving performs the important work of maintaining traditional representations of power, but this image does more than just mirror existing power structures, it actively reinforces them. What might it have meant to the subjects of Frederik IV to see their king represented in such a way? How did this image shape their understanding of their own place in society? This engraving invites us to reflect on the ways in which images can perpetuate, and at times challenge, societal norms.