Portræt af Christian VII 1765 - 1781

This is a portrait of Christian VII by C.F. Schrader, its exact date is unknown. The miniature’s formal structure is immediately striking. Encased in an oval frame, the king's profile is rendered with a stark linearity that emphasizes his regal bearing. The monochromatic palette focuses our attention on form and texture; from the delicate wisps of his powdered wig to the smooth contour of his face. The strategic use of light and shadow models the contours of Christian's face. Note the way the artist uses contrast to highlight the king’s aquiline nose, underscoring his aristocratic lineage. Schrader's emphasis on line and form underscores the subject's status and power through controlled design. Consider how this portrait manipulates visual cues to create an idealized image. It presents a figure whose identity is as much constructed by the formal elements of the portrait as it is reflective of reality.