Elisabeth Christina echtgenote van Karel VI, Duits keizer 1723

Editor: We’re looking at a metal sculpture from 1723 by Bengt Richter entitled "Elisabeth Christina echtgenote van Karel VI, Duits keizer," or Elisabeth Christina, wife of Charles VI, German Emperor. It’s a fascinating Baroque piece… it feels a bit like looking at two sides of the same coin, literally. What catches your eye about it? Curator: The duality presented in this object is immediately striking. Consider the interplay between the portrait on one side, exhibiting a controlled, almost rigid elegance, and the dynamic energy conveyed by the horse on the other. Note the direction of the gaze and stance – can it be compared across both sides? Editor: I see what you mean. The portrait is very formal and stately, whereas the horse seems much more… energetic. Almost rebellious. How do the inscriptions work into the overall structure, do you think? Curator: Indeed. The inscription "ELISABYTHA CHRISTINA AVG CAROLI VI IMP" frames the portrait, bestowing identity and status, while "AD NUTUM DEI" (At the will of God) arches above the horse, suggesting divine influence over its power. The composition reinforces this: the careful inscription against the moving and flowing elements in the depiction of the horse. A stark visual contrast emerges that encourages viewers to actively decode. Editor: So the text and images work together to present two sides of Elisabeth Christina – her earthly role and a divinely inspired power? It's less about the cultural background, and more about how it's presented? Curator: Precisely. By examining how elements of text, figuration, and their arrangement within the composition are arranged, we come to decode these elements within the context of the coin itself and come to understand its essence. It moves beyond history; it seeks to reveal the language of the portrait itself. Editor: I hadn’t considered it that way, focusing on the composition itself! Thanks for illuminating how these structural relationships work, it really does give you a new way to think.