Engelsholm ved Vejle 1726 - 1757

Odvardt Helmoldt de Lode created this print titled ‘Engelsholm ved Vejle’ in the mid-18th century. The rigid, symmetrical composition and heavy ornamentation are typical of the Rococo style, a visual culture closely associated with Europe’s aristocratic elite. De Lode’s depiction of Engelsholm Manor provides a glimpse into the lives of the Danish upper class and their relationship to land ownership. During the 1700s, elite status and social identity were tied to land and estate ownership. The print’s ornamental frame suggests a romanticized view, yet we should consider the labor and social inequalities that enabled this lifestyle. What perspectives are missing from this image of Danish opulence? How do you think de Lode’s gender and class shaped his depiction of Engelsholm? The print offers a moment to reflect on Denmark’s complex history of wealth, privilege, and power.