Anno 1733 den 9. Augusti Reiste Hans Kongelige Majestet Hendes Majestet Dronningen Samt Hendes Majestete Dronningens Fru Moder Over dette Field Mandsseidet 1726 - 1782

Peter Cramer made this intricate etching commemorating a royal journey on August 9th, 1733. Commissioned long after the actual event, this print reflects the symbolic importance attached to royal travel within the context of 18th-century Danish identity and power structures. It is critical to remember that while this piece seemingly celebrates the royal family’s connection to the land and its people, it also obscures the complex social hierarchies of the time. How do the obscured faces of the working class, those laboring to transport the royals, speak to the period’s social dynamics? The journey becomes a staged performance of power. The Queen and her mother's presence, prominently noted in the title, suggests the significance of female lineage and its role in sustaining the monarchy. It’s a reminder that royal identity, like all identities, is carefully constructed, performed, and constantly negotiated. This piece invites us to consider the emotional and performative aspects of power.