Christian VII 1776

Daniel Adzer made this small portrait of Christian VII. Likely created for distribution among the Danish court or visitors, this image embodies power through its deliberate visual language. We see the King in profile, a convention that evokes the visual vocabulary of ancient Roman coins and cameos. The neoclassical style emerged during the 18th century and presented a vision of the ancient world that was orderly, rational, and heroic, all qualities that rulers wished to be associated with. Christian's reign was marked by personal struggles with mental illness and political instability. The portrait presents the illusion of power through the visual codes that were meaningful at the time. Art historians consult documents, letters, and cultural ephemera to understand better the complex relationship between image and power. The creation of art is subject to the demands of those in power as well as the politics of the day.