Udkast til vasen "Vandets Element" på Rosenborg 1666 - 1739

Magnus Berg created this ink and watercolor drawing of a proposed vase for Rosenborg Castle in the late 17th or early 18th century. The drawing encapsulates the Baroque love of ornamentation, allegory, and dramatic display, all in the service of dynastic power. Made in Denmark, this design speaks to the cultural aspirations of the royal court. Note the allegorical figures intertwined with dolphins, shells, and cascading water – visual codes that refer to Neptune, the god of the sea. This vase was intended to celebrate royal authority through the control of natural forces, a common theme in the absolutist era. Although intended for Rosenborg Castle, a monument to royal power, this design might also reference broader European trends in garden design and the use of water features to impress visitors. Understanding this work requires research into the artistic patronage of the Danish royal family, the influence of French court culture, and the symbolism of water in Baroque art. These avenues of investigation will help us to understand how art bolsters and challenges social conventions.