Carolina Matilda, Queen of Denmark c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have James Watson's portrait of Carolina Matilda, Queen of Denmark. There's something quite melancholic about her gaze. What narratives do you think this piece speaks to? Curator: This portrait, while seemingly traditional, provides an entry point into the study of power dynamics and gender expectations within 18th-century European courts. Consider the limited agency afforded to women like Carolina Matilda, whose lives were dictated by political alliances and patriarchal structures. Editor: So, you're saying her expression might reflect the constraints she faced? Curator: Precisely. How might we analyze her posture and adornments as signifiers of both her royal status and her confinement within that role? Think about the socio-political forces acting upon her, shaping her identity. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about – thanks! Curator: Indeed, art provides the tools for us to question power itself.