Frederik VI’s Room (room 16)
Frederik VI was Christian VII's son, and from 1784 he ruled in his father's place. Frederik VI was thus king in practice long before he became king in name.
Frederik VI and his contemporaries
The history and furnishing of the room
Frederik VI never lived here at Rosenborg and therefore never used this room. The room, like Frederik V's Cabinet and Christian VII's Hall, was furnished by Johannes Wiedewelt in 1782-1784 for the Royal Coin and Medal Collection. It was only when Rosenborg Castle was converted into a museum in the mid-1800s that it was decided to gather art and objects from Frederik VI's reign in this room, hence the name Frederik VI's Room.
The furniture and craftsmanship in the room are characterized by the so-called Empire style, a particular neoclassical style that developed in France after the French Revolution (1789-1799). The inspiration during the heyday of the Empire style was the Roman imperial period, in contrast to the neoclassical Louis Seize style, which had its models in ancient Greece and ancient Egypt.
Frederik VI and the early 1800s
Frederik VI (1768-1839) was King of Denmark from 1808 but acted as king already from 1784. It was a difficult time, with Denmark being hit by major, violent events such as the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, the Bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807, and the State Bankruptcy. But although the early 1800s were a period of decline for Denmark both economically and militarily, the country flourished culturally, and the first half of the century is called the 'Golden Age' of Danish art and literature.
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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1601Princess Vilhelmine, daughter of Frederik VI; full length, painted by L. Aumont, 1831.
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1602Chair of gilt carved wood with velvet covering. Made for Princess Caroline Amalie's throne-room in Christian VIII's Palace c. 1830. Designed by G.F. Hetsch?
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1604Child's chair; used by Frederik VI as a child.
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1605Princess Louise Augusta. Full length, painted 1791 by Anton Graff.
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1611Frederik VI; statuette in bronzed plaster of Paris, c. 1810.
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1612Frederik VI in the uniform of the Life Guards; painted by C.W. Eckersberg, 1826.
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1613Ferdinand, the Heir Presumptive. Watercolour by L. Grünbaum, 1829.
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1614Caroline, the Heiress Presumptive. Watercolour by L. Grünbaum, 1829.
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1615Frederik VI as Prince, about 1805. Full length, presumably painted by W. Haffner.
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1616Frederik VI walking with his family in Frederiksberg Gardens, about 1813. Watercolour by J. Senn.
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1617Frederik VI's desk from Amalienborg.
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1619Frederik VI with Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke and the Princesses Caroline and Wilhelmine; painted by C.W. Eckersberg, 1821.
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1620Frederik VI driving across Kongens Nytorv by torchlight, 1820: painted by C.A. Lorenzen.
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1621Frederik VI's funeral service in Roskilde Cathedral. Painted by G. Zeuthen.
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1622Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke, drawn in 1810 by J.P. (?) Møller after painting by Jens Juel.
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1623Frederik VI in his coronation robes. Sketch by Vilhelm Bendz, 1830.
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1624Frederik VI's telescope, later used by Frederik VII. Signed: J. Bidstrup, London.
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1627Small carved iron box with gold inlay (the Danish coat-of-arms). Inside is a miniature rifle, signed: J. Löbnitz.
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1628Case for Frederik VI's water bottle.
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1629Frederik VI's telescope.
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1630Frederik VI's field pocket book, and a manoeuvre map of the environs of Copenhagen c. 1805.
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1631Frederik VI's pair of compasses for the manoeuvre maps; made in Copenhagen in 1795 by J.F.B. Oppen.
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1632Frederik VI's pedometer.
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1634Turkish scimitar, with gold hilt and sheath. A present to Frederik VI from the Queen of Akim (in Ghana) who in 1824-26, as Denmark's ally, vanquished the King of Ashanti and seized his treasures.
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1635Tobacco pipe of gold, presented by the same Queen to a Danish general.
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1636Princess Caroline; three quarter length portrait by L. Aumont, 1830.
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1639Throne of carved white painted and gilded wood, with velvet covering. Designed in 1812 by C.F. Hansen, and used by Princess Caroline in her Audience Chamber in Bernstorff's Palace.