Christian VII’s Room (room 15)
In this room, you can see objects and paintings related to the extraordinary life of Christian VII – therefore, there is also a portrait of Johann F. Struensee in this room, who was known both in his time and afterwards for his role in Christian VII's life and, not least, in Danish history.
Up close with Christian VII
The room itself
Christian VII never lived here at Rosenborg Castle and therefore never used this room. The room, like Frederik V's Cabinet and Frederik VI's Room, was furnished by Johannes Wiedewelt in 1782-1784 for the Royal Coin and Medal Collection.
When the castle was converted into a museum in the mid-1800s, this room was furnished with objects related to Christian VIII, but when the exhibition was changed in the 1930s, it was decided to let this room frame objects and paintings from the time of Christian VII.
Christian VII's son, Frederik (VI), has almost as prominent a place in this room as Christian VII himself. This is mainly due to Christian VII's unique history, where the country was de facto led by others for most of his reign. First Johan F. Struensee, then Dowager Queen Juliane Marie together with Crown Prince Frederik and Ove Høegh-Guldberg, and lastly (but by no means least) Christian VII's own son Frederik (VI). Frederik VI acted as king on behalf of his father from 1784.
The portraits
The large portrait of Christian VII with the absolute crown and coronation regalia largely dominates this room. But you can also see the portrait of Johann F. Struensee, Christian VII's physician, who had immense influence on the King and has received great attention in history. There is also a portrait of Christian VII's queen, Caroline Mathilde.
If you stand in the doorway to the room, you can see both the painting of Christian VII and also the painting of Frederik VI in the next room. There is a great difference in the depiction of these two kings, even though they are actually father and son. But the great difference in their presentation shows the rapid development Denmark and the royal ideal underwent at this time.
Objects in the room
If you are physically at the museum, you can admire the outstanding objects and read more about them below.
Please note that these descriptions are brief and often without images. They serve as an additional resource for those who wish to gain more knowledge about each object, such as who created them, their origin, and significance.
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1501Frederik VI as a child. Pastel by H.P. Sturz, 1771, (Queen Caroline Mathilde's confidant).
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1502Princess Louise Augusta as a child. Pastel by H.P. Sturz, 1771.
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1503Cabinet of rosewood and walnut, with inlays of mother of-pearl and coloured bone. Used for coins and bears Queen Juliane Marie's monogram in bronze. On the cupboard is a lidded silver trophy with inlaid coins and patriotic inscriptions about the Danish-Norwegian invasion of Sweden in 1788.
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1504One of two vase candelabras delivered in 1790 to Christiansborg. After the palace fire of 1794 they were placed on the two guéridons procured 1794-95 for Christian VII's palace at Amalienborg. The candelabras and the guéridons were delivered by C.J. Lillie.
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1505Christian VII; oval, painted by Jens Juel.
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1506Frederik VI when prince; oval, painted by Jens Juel.
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1507Caroline Mathilde. Oval, after Jens Juel, 1771.
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1508Gilded armchair with oval back. Made c. 1780. Designed by the architect G.E. Rosenberg.
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1509Crown Prince Frederik as a three year old. Wax bust by J.E. Bauert 1771.
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1510The Crown Prince's playmate, Carl. Wax bust by J.E. Bauert.
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1511Christian VII in his coronation robes. Full-length, painted by Jens Juel, 1789.
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1512Frederik VI, oval painted by Jens Juel about 1784.
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1513Caroline Mathilde, oval, by Peder Als, c. 1767.
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1514Princess Louise Augusta, sister of Frederik VI, Duchess of Augustenborg. Oval, painted by Jens Juel about 1785.
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1515Gilded armchair with shield shaped back. Purchased 1790 for the Crown Prince Frederik (VI) at Christiansborg.
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1516Princess Marie Louise (1792-1793), painted by Jens Juel.
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1517Mahogany escritoire with intarsia, Denmark c. 1800. Was originally at Frederiksberg Palace, possibly as part of the new furnishings for Frederik VI after his wedding in 1790. On the escritoire is a punch bowl made by Royal Copenhagen depicting the Battle of Copenhagen, 2 April 1801. One of the 44 copies which Count Roepstorff had made as a present to the battle’s officers.
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1518Oval mahogany table with silver plate; the plate executed by the Court Goldsmith, Nicolai Jensen Lyderwahl 1796. On the table is a breakfast service made by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory for Heiress Presumptive Sophie Frederikkes birthday on 24 August 1783.
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1519Frederik VI as Prince in admiral's uniform, oval. Copy; presumably painted by Hans Hansen after Jens Juel.
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1520Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke, with the Order of Christian VII: painted by Jens Juel.
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1521Queen Caroline Mathilde, painted after her death by Jens Juel.
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1522Mahogany dressing table, inlaid with flowers and figures in coloured wood and furnished with mechanical appliances. Signed: Made in the year 1793 and repaired 1816. Masterjoiner I. Pengel (Copenhagen). The inlay on the top made by David Roentgen.
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1523Frederik VI as Crown Prince and Marie Sophie Frederikke. Silhouettes, painted by Rothermundt.
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1525Grand Cross of the Greek Order of Our Saviour; presented to Christian VIII by King Otto of Greece.
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1527Grand Cross of the Spanish Marie Louise Order. Worn by Queen Caroline Amalie.
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1528Star and Chain of the French Order of the Holy Ghost.
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1529The Insignia and Star of the Order of the Westphalian Crown.
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1530Star and Insignia of the Order of the Dutch Union.
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1531Star and Insignia of the French Legion of Honour (from the time of Napoleon).
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1532Star and Insignia of the French Legion of Honour (after the fall of Napoleon).
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1533Christian VIII's Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Insignia and Star from the period of King Louis Philippe.
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1534Portrait of Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive; oval half-length painting by unknown artist.
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1535Automaton clock with carillon and organ, theater and waterfalls. On the pedestal the coat-of-arms and device of Christian VII. Attributed to James Cox, London in c. 1780.
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1537Two covered vases with portraits of Frederik VI and Queen Marie after F.C. Grøger’s portraits 1809. The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory.
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1538Frederik VI's travelling watch; in silver case, signed: J.H. Müller, Schleswig.
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1539Knitting bag. On the lock, a gold medal made on the occasion of the wedding of Prince Frederik, later Frederik VII, and Princess Vilhelmine 1828 by C. Jørgensen.
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1540Miniature edition of the Right of Citizenship Act; in silver binding with a crowned F. 1776.
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1542Gold locket with a few drops of the anointing oil. 31. July, 1815.
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1543Gold signet ring with portrait of Frederik VI.
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1546Rings made of the Landgrave Carl of Hesse's metal, which was intended to render gold and silver superfluous.
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1547Lime hod and trowel of silver used by Frederik VI when laying the foundationstone of Vonsild Church in South Jutland, 1824.
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1548Paperweight with profile portrait of Frederik VI as an old man.
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1549Medal with Frederik VI's portrait, by C. Christensen; stamped by the City of Copenhagen on the occasion of the King's recovery, 1833.
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1550Box and other articles of the Landgrave Carl's metal (see no. 1546), with Frederik VI's and Queen Marie's monogram.
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1551Portrait of Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke, cut in chalcedony by A. Jacobson; also an impression of the stone.
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1552Plaster of Paris impression of medal with Frederik VI's portrait 1834, modelled by F.C. Krohn, for the 50 years' jubilee.
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1553Frederik VI. Relief in gilt bronze, made by Leopold Heuberger during the Congress of Vienna, 1814.
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1554Semi-circular dressing-table of light mahogany with intarsia. On the top, the Danish coat-of-arms. Masterpiece by Jens Brøtterup, 1784.
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1555Queen Caroline Mathilde; pastel by Jens Juel.
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1556Christian VII: pastel by unknown artist.
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1557Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive, brother of Christian VII, father of Christian VIII, after Jens Juel.
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1558Queen Caroline Mathilde; full length with Prince Frederik (VI) on her lap. Gouache, painted in 1771 by Andreas Thornborg and sent to the Court with a plea for support.
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1559Christian VII: three quarter length, by Jens Juel.
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1560Table with green covering used by King Frederik VI in Council. From Amalienborg; made by the cabinet maker Hans Babe, 1803.
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1561Equestrian statuette, ivory, depicting Emperor Paul of Russia (1754-1801) as Grand Duke. Made by C.A. von Lücke.