Frederik V som barn 1723 - 1747

This delicate portrait of Frederik V as a child was painted by Hinrich Jacob Pohle, who died at a young age himself, like the boy depicted. It is rendered in enamel on copper, a luxury material that would have been ground and mixed by hand. The artist captured the pale skin and refined features of young Frederik with remarkable precision, using fine brushes to build up thin layers of translucent enamel. The copper support would have been fired multiple times to fuse the different layers of color, a risky process that could easily ruin the image. The meticulous technique and precious materials reflect the status of the sitter, a member of the Danish royal family. The creation of this enamel portrait involved not only the artist’s skill, but also the labor of those who mined and processed the raw materials. By considering the means of production, we can appreciate the complex social and economic context in which this small object was made.