Study for Griffenfeldt's Removal to the Prison in the Citadel
1858
Before the dramatic arrest of powerful Danish chancellor Peder Griffenfeld in 1680, there were just these two guys waiting around. Frederik Christian Lund painted this lively study in 1858, depicting the guards who would escort the fallen statesman to the Citadel prison. One soldier stares stoically ahead with his rifle and sword, while his companion turns back with a rosy-cheeked, almost cheeky grin, completely unaware of the historical gravity of their job. It's a charming glimpse into how 19th-century artists found humor and humanity in serious historical reenactments.
Views: 6