Christen Thomesen Sehested 1655 - 1659

Curator: Here we have an engraving of Christen Thomesen Sehested, dating from about 1655 to 1659. Editor: He has an intensity about him, a kind of composed severity. It’s remarkable what the artist has achieved with seemingly simple black and white shading. Curator: Indeed. The artist, Albert Haelwegh, captures a certain baroque grandeur with an intricate linework. Note the texture achieved—see how he delineates the fine hairs of his beard and mustache. This texture gives the print depth. Editor: I’m also drawn to his clothing and that heavy chain. It immediately places him in a position of power. What can you tell me about Sehested and his role within 17th-century Denmark? Curator: He was a prominent statesman, serving as Chancellor of Denmark under King Frederick III. You see all of these honors detailed in the Latin inscription? “Illustrious and magnificent.” So he clearly wished to communicate his societal rank to a larger audience. Editor: Precisely. Engravings like these were critical in shaping public perception. But who was this portrait aimed at reaching? Was it a signifier to his allies? Or perhaps to his rivals as an intimidating display of wealth? Curator: Possibly both! As a mass-produced print, it had wider circulation, solidifying Sehested’s image as a pillar of the Danish state. I think the success is that Haelwegh managed to communicate dignity, but not remove his humanness. Editor: Yes, that subtle tension is palpable. Considering Sehested's position during a period of significant social and political shifts, his calculated presentation is far more nuanced than simple vanity. Thanks for highlighting the remarkable print and shedding some light on its context! Curator: Of course, it has been a pleasure looking deeper at how Haelwegh successfully rendered societal position into lines and shading.