Portrait of Peder Tordenskjold 1700 - 1855

Curator: Good morning. Here we have Balthasar Denner’s "Portrait of Peder Tordenskjold," part of the collection at the SMK. Painted sometime between 1700 and 1855, it is a rather classic example of baroque portraiture. Editor: He seems like he's posing for a coin. Or, the stern face you see on those history book covers—a kind of heroic sobriety. I must say, though, there's an immediate richness of color despite the muted palette; it gives it depth. Curator: The piece plays precisely with light and shadow to sculpt his figure—notice how the highlights catch on his armor. Speaking of materials, consider that it is painted with oils, providing incredible control over the final texture. Think about the availability and distribution of such material. Editor: True, and in particular, I’m intrigued by the armor; how heavy would something like that be to produce? The painting's artifice sits upon countless hours of raw material extraction and artisan work. It gives a palpable sense of class disparity. Curator: Precisely, the rendering speaks of power and status! One also observes an exquisite rendering of textiles around the collar. Notice the intricate play of line and form here, all serving to create an imposing effect on the viewer. It reflects an elevated status, definitely. Editor: Well, I would be more inclined to speculate about Denner’s studio—the lighting conditions, the pigments he used—it helps to root it in labor. Who prepared those oils, where did they come from? It’s all so deliberately composed and materially constructed. Curator: Indeed, whether we view the portrait through the lens of power and representation, or focus on the labor behind it, the layers beneath it remain an incredible document. Editor: Exactly. By recognizing this convergence of symbolic order and tangible effort, we arrive at a deeper appreciation.