Artwork

Kong Hans

Kong Hans, by Unknown, 1750
Kong Hans, by Unknown, 1750

Kong Hans is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Kong Hans is a black‑and‑white image dating from around 1750, currently in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work depicts a solitary male figure positioned before a plain dark wall, his posture formal and his gaze directed forward.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is dressed in elaborate, regal costume: a high‑collared dark robe, a crown atop his head, and a pendant at the chest. He holds a scepter in his right hand, suggesting a portrayal of a monarch or high‑ranking noble, conveyed through his solemn expression.

Technique & Style

Executed as a monochrome photograph, the image relies on contrast between the dark background and the illuminated details of the subject’s attire. The composition is straightforward, with the sitter centered and the plain wall emphasizing the figure’s status symbols.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the artist identified as 37354_person, the photograph was produced circa 1750. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date and remains part of the institution’s ethnographic visual archive.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known