En helgens himmelfart. 1671 - 1738

Hendrik Krock made this drawing of a saint ascending to heaven with red chalk, sometime between 1686 and 1738, in Denmark. Images like this one offer a window into the religious and social values of the period. Visual codes such as the saint's upward gaze, the light radiating from his head, and the presence of angels, create a clear sense of divine ascension. In the cultural context of 18th-century Denmark, still deeply rooted in Christian beliefs, this image would likely have reinforced the importance of piety and the promise of heavenly reward. The institutional history of art in Denmark at this time was closely tied to the monarchy and the church, both of which played a significant role in commissioning and supporting artistic production. By examining church records, royal archives, and artists' biographies, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped Krock's artistic output and the role of religious imagery in Danish society.