Frihedsstøtten set fra Frederiksbergsiden. 1798 - 1801

Frederik Ludvig Bradt created this drawing of the Freedom Monument using pen and watercolour. The composition is dominated by the monument's strong vertical presence, slicing through the center of the scene. The monument rises high against a soft, neutral sky, flanked by symmetrical arrangements of trees and distant buildings. The subdued palette of grays and browns lends a sense of solemnity, emphasizing the monument's form. Bradt frames the monument with elements of everyday life, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between the monument and the public it serves. This interplay between the monumental and the mundane reflects the Enlightenment ideals, where public virtue and civic duty were central themes. The monument, as a sign, embodies freedom, while its placement suggests a connection to broader social values. The emphasis on the structure and form serves not just an aesthetic purpose but also anchors the monument in a larger discourse about civic identity and collective memory.