"Kongegravene i Ringsted Kirke". Planche XVI 1858

Heinrich Hansen created this lithograph called "Kongegravene i Ringsted Kirke," or "The Royal Graves in Ringsted Church," sometime in the 19th century. Hansen was working in a period marked by intense nationalism, where the creation of a shared cultural heritage was often seen as fundamental to national identity. This lithograph pictures the tombs of Danish kings in Ringsted Church. Hansen directs our attention to the Latin inscriptions, emphasizing the historical and cultural weight of these royal figures. At the time, the assertion of national identity often excluded minority groups. The image prompts us to consider how we engage with history and memory. Whose stories are told, whose are erased? What does it mean to grapple with the past, knowing it is always a selective and contested narrative? It’s a quiet, contemplative piece, inviting reflection on themes of power, remembrance, and national identity.