Bjørn Nørgaard's tapestries
1000 Years of Danish History
In the Knights' Hall at Christiansborg Palace, the walls are adorned with 1000 years of woven Danish history, from the Viking Age to the present day. Explore kings, queens, battles, artistic references, famous people, special events, animals, plants, and much more from our shared Danish history.
In 1990, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe turned 50 years old. As a birthday gift, the Queen received 17 new tapestries for the Knights' Hall at Christiansborg Palace from the Danish business community. The tapestries are designed by the Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard. His task was to tell 1000 years of Danish history based on the Danish royal lineage. Therefore, the walls of the Knights' Hall today are teeming with kings – but also much more.
The creation of the tapestries
Follow the journey of the tapestries from the beginning of the work until they were hung in the Knights' Hall.
"The Present" is the tapestry where Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II herself plays the leading role. Together with Prince Henrik, the Queen stands in the midst of Danish nature.
Adam and Eve?
The main motif evokes thoughts of the story of Adam and Eve. The large tree in the center could be the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden. Queen Margrethe II holds an apple in her hand, which she extends towards the Prince Consort, and to the right of the Queen's face, a snake coils around a branch. It almost looks as if the snake is whispering something in Queen Margrethe's ear.
The Queen who united the nation
Bjørn Nørgaard has depicted Queen Margrethe with long, slender arms and large hands. The large hands symbolize power – and Queen Margrethe II was Denmark's regent when the tapestries were created. The long arms symbolize the Queen as a regent who could embrace anyone in Denmark. The regent who was the nation's focal point for over 50 years on the throne.
Did you know?
Before Bjørn Nørgaard's tapestries were hung in the Knights' Hall at Christiansborg Palace, there was a series of tapestries depicting Christian V and his victories in the Scanian War. These tapestries can now be seen at Rosenborg Castle.
Did you know?
During the 1990s, when the tapestries were being created, approximately 60 weavers worked on the project.
Did you know?
As a rule of thumb, it has taken one weaver one year to weave one square meter of tapestry.
Did you know?
The only place where Queen Margrethe II made a change was on the interpiece with Noah's Ark. The Queen had a pair of penguins changed to a pair of puffins to represent the Faroe Islands. There was also a pair of polar bears for Greenland.
Did you know?
Approximately 120 different color shades have been used in all 17 tapestries.
Did you know?
The massive tapestries are created from thin wool and silk threads. Approximately 4.5 threads per centimeter have been used.
Did you know?
The tapestry that took the longest time to weave is "The Viking Age." It was woven over 3451 days by 8 weavers.
Did you know?
"The Future" took the shortest time to produce. It was woven over 850 days by 2 weavers.
