Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van Karel IX van Zweden die het lichaam van Klaus Fleming beledigt, door Albert Edelfelt before 1879

This is Johannes Jaeger’s photographic reproduction of Albert Edelfelt’s painting of Charles IX of Sweden disrespecting the corpse of Klaus Fleming. This image recreates a moment from 1597, when Charles, then Duke, exhumed Fleming's body to confirm his death and vent his animosity. Produced in the late 19th century, the image and painting served as potent symbols during a period of heightened national romanticism in Finland and Sweden. Edelfelt, a Finnish-Swedish painter, often depicted historical scenes that resonated with contemporary nationalist sentiments. This reproduction would likely have been circulated among history books and periodicals to disseminate cultural values. The scene is rife with political commentary, portraying Charles IX as a figure of historical grievance. By revisiting this moment, Jaeger and Edelfelt engaged in a dialogue about power, identity, and collective memory. To fully understand the image's significance, we might consider the historical texts, political pamphlets, and museum collections of the time, which can reveal the ways in which this artwork participated in shaping national identity.