Constantinslaget 1764 - 1790

Erik Pauelsen painted "Constantinslaget" using oil on canvas, and the artwork is currently located here at the SMK. At first glance, you see a battle scene, bodies strewn across the ground, celestial figures above. The artist invites us to consider not just the historical event, but the narratives constructed around power, religion, and identity. The artist grew up in a time of political and social change, and this historical context certainly shaped the creation of this piece. Constantine’s victory at the Milvian Bridge was a pivotal moment, leading to the acceptance of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Pauelsen's painting captures the chaos and violence of the battle, but it also weaves in the narrative of divine intervention. The floating angels suggest a celestial blessing. How do these symbols intertwine with societal power structures, and whose stories are being told or omitted in this representation? The focus here is on power, belief and representation, urging us to consider how such narratives shape our understanding of history.