Frederik V i romersk feltherredragt og med laurbærkrans om hovedet 1760

Daniel Adzer created this relief of Frederik V in Roman military garb with a laurel wreath, sometime in the 18th century. Here, Frederik V is immortalized through the lens of ancient Rome, tapping into an idealized vision of leadership and power. The laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and status, entwined with his wig, merges the regal with the theatrical, reflecting the performative aspects of monarchy. It's a fascinating blend of historical reverence and political assertion. Adzer, working in a society deeply entrenched in hierarchical structures, presents us with an image that reinforces those power dynamics. Yet, looking at it now, we can question the narratives of invincibility and authority that it conveys. How do we reconcile this image of power with the complexities and contradictions inherent in leadership? What does it mean to look back at these symbols of power?