Johan Gether 1765

This engraving by Jonas Haas depicts Johan Gether, a steward of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. Note the keys prominently displayed beneath Gether's hand. The keys are not mere objects; they are potent symbols of authority and control. This motif dates back to antiquity, seen in depictions of St. Peter, the gatekeeper of heaven, holding the keys to the Kingdom. Similarly, in ancient Egypt, keys symbolized access to divine knowledge. The image of keys as symbols of power and passage recur throughout history. Consider how the gesture of holding keys can subconsciously evoke feelings of security, or conversely, of exclusion. It is a visual shorthand that taps into our collective memory, reminding us of those who hold power and the boundaries they guard. These symbols in art act as cultural echoes, resonating through time and reminding us of the enduring human fascination with power, access, and control.