Gorm den Engelske 1646

This print of "Gorm den Engelske" at the SMK was created by an anonymous artist, and depicts an early Danish ruler, shrouded in the mists of legend. Consider this image as a site where history meets the social and political agendas of its time. It's not just a portrait; it’s a statement about power, identity, and the construction of a nation's past. Who was this ‘English Gorm’, really? Was he a figure of unity, or a symbol of resistance against the rising tide of Christianity, as the latin text would suggest? The artist seems less interested in historical accuracy and more in crafting an image that speaks to contemporary concerns. How might the choice to depict Gorm in this way reinforce or challenge existing social hierarchies? What does it mean to claim an English connection for a Danish king, and how does this play into the complex relationship between the two countries? This image prompts us to question the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, and where we come from.