Christian I Proclaiming Holstein a Duchy in 1474. Painted for Christiansborg Castle
1780
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1780
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This painting shows a group of people in fancy clothes inside what looks like a grand hall. A man and woman wearing crowns sit on a raised platform, surrounded by others in robes and armor. The man holds a scroll, while a kneeling woman in a pink dress reaches toward him. The background has dark red walls with gold patterns and arched windows. The artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to make the figures stand out. This trick is called *chiaroscuro*—it’s how the scene feels so dramatic. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how other artists used this lighting effect.
