Prins Frederik Ferdinand 1832

David Monies made this print of Prins Frederik Ferdinand in Denmark, at a time when lithography was a popular medium for portraiture. Consider the role of portraiture at this time, which was to preserve the likeness of important people for posterity. The image is full of codes that reinforce the status of its subject. Note the formal military attire, with epaulettes and sash, as well as the sitter's composed demeanor. These are visual cues that signified power and authority in 19th-century Denmark. We might ask ourselves about the power dynamics inherent in such an image. Who is represented, and who is not? What social norms does it uphold? What is the public role of an image like this? These are questions that art historians consider when examining works like this. Archival research into the life of Prince Frederik Ferdinand and the artist might yield further insights into the social conditions that shaped this portrait.