Medaille. Peder Hersleb 1752 - 1833

This print, by Meno Haas, depicts Peder Hersleb, a bishop in 18th-century Denmark. It offers a fascinating insight into the ways in which religious figures sought to cultivate their public image. On one side, we see a portrait of Hersleb himself, identified by the inscription as "Petrus Hersleb Episcopus Slaelandiae", or Peter Hersleb, Bishop of Zealand. On the other side, a symbolic figure leans mournfully on a shield, which represents the Danish-Norwegian church. The text reads "Deliciae et Decus Meum", or my delight and glory. The image is rich with symbolism. Hersleb is not merely a man, but a figure of authority in the Danish church. To understand this print more fully, one might examine other portraits and symbolic representations of religious leaders from this period. How did they use images to communicate their power and authority? By researching into the religious and political context of 18th-century Denmark, we can better understand the complex interplay between personal identity, religious authority, and institutional power that this print embodies.