The Royal Danish Collection

Christian VII’s Room (room 15)

: In this room, you can see objects and paintings related to Christian VII’s extraordinary life. Thus, in this room, there is also a portrait of Johann F. Struensee, who became known for his role in the life of Christian VII and, not least, in Danish history.

Getting close to Christian VII

The room itself

Christian VII never stayed at Rosenborg Castle, so he never used this room. Like Frederik V’s Room and Frederik VI’s Room, it was decorated by Johannes Wiedewelt in 1782–1784 to house the Royal Coin and Medal Collection.

When the castle was converted into a museum, during the mid-19th century, this room was decorated with objects related to Christian VIII, but when the exhibition was changed, during the 1930s, the room was redecorated with objects and paintings from the time of Christian VII.

The representation of Christian VII’s son, Frederik (VI), in this room is almost as prominent as the representation of Christian VII himself. This is mainly due to the special circumstances surrounding Christian VII’s reign. During most of his time as King, the country was de facto ruled by others: initially by Johann  F. Struensee, then by Queen Dowager Juliane Marie, in union with Prince Frederik (Heir Presumptive), and Ove Høegh-Guldberg, and last (but by no means least), by Christian VII’s own son Frederik (VI.), who ruled in his father’s stead from 1784.

 

The portraits

To a large degree, the big portrait of Christian VII wearing the crown of the absolute kings and holding the crown regalia dominates this room. But you can also see the portrait of Johann F. Struensee, Christian VII’s physicians, who held great sway over The King and who became a prominent historical figure. Of course, there is also a portrait of Christian VII’s consort, Queen Caroline Mathilde.

If you stand in the doorway to the room, you can see both the painting of Christian VII and the painting of Frederik VI in the next room. There is a big difference in the representation of the two kings, even though they are in fact father and son. The big difference in the way they are portrayed demonstrates the radical change that transformed Denmark and the image of the king at this time in history.

Objects in the room

If you are at the museum, you can admire the fascinating objects in the room and read more about them below. 

The descriptions are brief and generally do not include images. They are intended as an added resource if you would like more detailed information about an item, such as who made it, its origin and its meaning. 

  • 1501
    Frederik VI as a child. Pastel by H.P. Sturz, 1771, (Queen Caroline Mathilde's confidant).
  • 1502
    Princess Louise Augusta as a child. Pastel by H.P. Sturz, 1771.
  • 1503
    Cabinet 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.
  • 1504
    One 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.
  • 1505
    Christian VII; oval, painted by Jens Juel.
  • 1506
    Frederik VI when prince; oval, painted by Jens Juel.
  • 1507
    Caroline Mathilde. Oval, after Jens Juel, 1771.
  • 1508
    Gilded armchair with oval back. Made c. 1780. Designed by the architect G.E. Rosenberg.
  • 1509
    Crown Prince Frederik as a three year old. Wax bust by J.E. Bauert 1771.
  • 1510
    The Crown Prince's playmate, Carl. Wax bust by J.E. Bauert.
  • 1511
    Christian VII in his coronation robes. Full-length, painted by Jens Juel, 1789.
  • 1512
    Frederik VI, oval painted by Jens Juel about 1784.
  • 1513
    Caroline Mathilde, oval, by Peder Als, c. 1767.
  • 1514
    Princess Louise Augusta, sister of Frederik VI, Duchess of Augustenborg. Oval, painted by Jens Juel about 1785.
  • 1515
    Gilded armchair with shield shaped back. Purchased 1790 for the Crown Prince Frederik (VI) at Christiansborg.
  • 1516
    Princess Marie Louise (1792-1793), painted by Jens Juel.
  • 1517
    Mahogany 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.
  • 1518
    Oval 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.
  • 1519
    Frederik VI as Prince in admiral's uniform, oval. Copy; presumably painted by Hans Hansen after Jens Juel.
  • 1520
    Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke, with the Order of Christian VII: painted by Jens Juel.
  • 1521
    Queen Caroline Mathilde, painted after her death by Jens Juel.
  • 1522
    Mahogany 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.
  • 1523
    Frederik VI as Crown Prince and Marie Sophie Frederikke. Silhouettes, painted by Rothermundt.
  • 1525
    Grand Cross of the Greek Order of Our Saviour; presented to Christian VIII by King Otto of Greece.
  • 1527
    Grand Cross of the Spanish Marie Louise Order. Worn by Queen Caroline Amalie.
  • 1528
    Star and Chain of the French Order of the Holy Ghost.
  • 1529
    The Insignia and Star of the Order of the Westphalian Crown.
  • 1530
    Star and Insignia of the Order of the Dutch Union.
  • 1531
    Star and Insignia of the French Legion of Honour (from the time of Napoleon).
  • 1532
    Star and Insignia of the French Legion of Honour (after the fall of Napoleon).
  • 1533
    Christian VIII's Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Insignia and Star from the period of King Louis Philippe.
  • 1534
    Portrait of Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive; oval half-length painting by unknown artist.
  • 1535
    Automaton 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.
  • 1537
    Two covered vases with portraits of Frederik VI and Queen Marie after F.C. Grøger’s portraits 1809. The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory.
  • 1538
    Frederik VI's travelling watch; in silver case, signed: J.H. Müller, Schleswig.
  • 1539
    Knitting 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.
  • 1540
    Miniature edition of the Right of Citizenship Act; in silver binding with a crowned F. 1776.
  • 1542
    Gold locket with a few drops of the anointing oil. 31. July, 1815.
  • 1543
    Gold signet ring with portrait of Frederik VI.
  • 1546
    Rings made of the Landgrave Carl of Hesse's metal, which was intended to render gold and silver superfluous.
  • 1547
    Lime hod and trowel of silver used by Frederik VI when laying the foundationstone of Vonsild Church in South Jutland, 1824.
  • 1548
    Paperweight with profile portrait of Frederik VI as an old man.
  • 1549
    Medal with Frederik VI's portrait, by C. Christensen; stamped by the City of Copenhagen on the occasion of the King's recovery, 1833.
  • 1550
    Box and other articles of the Landgrave Carl's metal (see no. 1546), with Frederik VI's and Queen Marie's monogram.
  • 1551
    Portrait of Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke, cut in chalcedony by A. Jacobson; also an impression of the stone.
  • 1552
    Plaster of Paris impression of medal with Frederik VI's portrait 1834, modelled by F.C. Krohn, for the 50 years' jubilee.
  • 1553
    Frederik VI. Relief in gilt bronze, made by Leopold Heuberger during the Congress of Vienna, 1814.
  • 1554
    Semi-circular dressing-table of light mahogany with intarsia. On the top, the Danish coat-of-arms. Masterpiece by Jens Brøtterup, 1784.
  • 1555
    Queen Caroline Mathilde; pastel by Jens Juel.
  • 1556
    Christian VII: pastel by unknown artist.
  • 1557
    Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive, brother of Christian VII, father of Christian VIII, after Jens Juel.
  • 1558
    Queen 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.
  • 1559
    Christian VII: three quarter length, by Jens Juel.
  • 1560
    Table with green covering used by King Frederik VI in Council. From Amalienborg; made by the cabinet maker Hans Babe, 1803.
  • 1561
    Equestrian statuette, ivory, depicting Emperor Paul of Russia (1754-1801) as Grand Duke. Made by C.A. von Lücke.