F R E D E R I K V, K I N G O F D E N M A R K
This allegory of a ruler depicts Frederik V (born 1723 in Copenhagen) who bore the title ‘King of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Schleswig and Holstein and Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst’ from 1746 until his death in 1766. Its similarity to contemporary portraits leaves no doubt as to its attribution. A further clue can be found in the monogram ligature on the sword’s handguard. Frederik V reputedly wore the Order of the Dannebrog on his chest. However, on this statuette, it is not the Order of the Dannebrog that is shown but the Order of the White Eagle that was worn during the same period by the Electors of Saxony.
JOHANN CHRISTOPH LUDWIG LÜCKE Dresden, 1705 –1780, Danzig Copenhagen, circa 1752 –1754 Signed ‘Lŭdewig von Lücke.Fe:’ on the right-hand side of the base; the hand guard of the sword bears an interlaced monogram ‘F5’ Ivory Height: 26 cm Provenance: Collection of Henry Makins, London, 1930s, thereafter by descent; sold at Christie’s London, 2 July 1997, lot 159 (erroneously as Friedrich Christian Kurfürst of Saxony); Collection Emminger, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It is very probable that Lücke wanted to offer his services to the Court of Copenhagen through the presentation of this figure. Having inadvertently carved the order – the all-so-important ruler’s symbol – incorrectly, this work was presumably rejected and did not remain in Copenhagen.
Related Literature: Hein, Jørge. Ivories and Narwhal Tusks at Rosenborg Castle, Catalogue of Carved and Turned Ivories and Narwhal Tusks in the Royal Danish Collection 1600 –1875, Copenhagen 2018.
The monarch is stepping over a figure crouching on the ground, his gaze directed into the distance. He is dressed in full regalia. Between the folds of his ermine-lined cloak, the star-shaped order is visible. He is carrying a sword at his side that bears the monogram ‘F5’, for Frederik V, on the handguard. The Danish kings always used the first letter of their name with the respective numeral as their monogram.
Kappel, Jutta. Elfenbeinkunst im Grünen Gewölbe zu Dresden. Geschichte einer Sammlung. Wissenschaftlicher Bestandskatalog – Statuetten, Figurengruppen, Reliefs, Gefäße, Varia, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Dresden 2017. Becher, Beate. ‘Lücke Ludwig’ in: Neue Deutsche Biographie 15 (1987), pp. 448 – 49 (online version) https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/pnd132605872.html Theuerkauff, Christian, ‘Johann Christoph Ludwig Lücke, Ober-Modell-Meister und Inventions-Meister in Meissen, Ober-Direktor zu Wien’ in: Alte und Moderne Kunst, issue 183, Vienna 1982, pp. 21– 32.
It seems as if the monarch does not even notice the uglylooking, unclothed old woman lying at his feet. This figure, the antithesis of the good-looking, strong ruler is, in fact, an allegory of envy. The old woman has torn her own heart out of her chest and is holding it in her hand as she takes her last breath.
Theuerkauff, Christian, ‘Einige Bildnisse, Allegorien und Kuriositäten von Johann Christoph Ludwig Lücke (um 1703 –1780)’ in: Alte und Moderne Kunst, issue 174 –75, Vienna 1981, pp. 27– 38. Lier, Hermann Arthur,‘Lücke Ludwig’ in: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (1906), (online version) https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/pnd132605872.html
28
186
