A special book for H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. Prince Henrik
June 27, 2017
VILLUM FONDEN and VELUX FONDEN have handed H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. Prince Henrik a book focusing on the Danish-French artistic relations during the period of absolute monarchy in Denmark.
VILLUM FONDEN and VELUX FONDEN decided in April 2016 to begin the preparation of a research-based book about the Danish-French artistic relations during the period of absolute monarchy in Denmark. The book would be created in honour of H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. Prince Henrik´s golden wedding anniversary on June 10, 2017.
H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. Prince Henrik received the finished book at Amalienborg Palace on June 6, 2017. The book was presented by the chairs of the boards of VILLUM FONDEN and VELUX FONDEN.
Photos from the presentation
French elegance and Danish ingenuity
The book "Fransk elegance og dansk snilde - Fransk-danske kunstforbindelser i den danske enevældes tid" (French elegance and Danish ingenuity - French-Danish artistic relations during the period of absolute monarchy in Denmark), tells the story of art as a tool in the orchestration of the royal power of absolute monarchy in Denmark in 1660-1849.
The subject of the book is not only a magnificent artistic period, but also the alternating historical background, which developed during that period. The book also presents large and small works of art created by humble imitators, skilled craftsmen or magnificent and original artists in the kings´ service in the period of absolute monarchy.
Ulla Kjær is Dr. Phil. in art history, curator and senior researcher at the National Museum of Denmark. Her primary field of work has been the Antiquarian-topographical Archives and the museum's church consultant function.
The author Ulla Kjær, who is art historian and curator at the National Museum of Denmark has for the past year been immersed in the preparation of the book and in new aspects of both Danish and French history and art.
"The overall view of the period has resulted in an almost overwhelming confirmation of the extent to which both individuals and nations are shaped by external influences. We very much need each other to stay true to ourselves! I hope that I have succeeded in bringing the joy I found in the subject to life in the final book. I also hope that it will provide an insight into how the Danish-French artistic relations has been especially crucial to the development of Danish art", Ulla Kjær in the book's preface.
The book has 401 pages and is generously illustrated by The National Museum´s photographer Roberto Fortuna.
Vivifying the Danish-French relations
"VILLUM FONDEN and VELUX FONDEN would like to express great acknowledgment of the book, which is an important research-based vivification of the Danish-French relations in the era of absolute monarchy in Denmark, as well as the clarification that productive international cooperation has been of great value at all times.
It is a great honour to contribute to this publication and at the same time to have the opportunity to extend our congratulations to the royal couple on their 50th wedding anniversary day", says Hans Kann Rasmussen, chair of VELUX FONDEN.
The book was released by University Press of Southern Denmark on June 27, 2017.