Frederik VI’s Room (room 16)

The history and decoration of the room 

Frederik VI never stayed here at Rosenborg Castle, so he never used this room. Like Frederik V’s Room and Christian VII’s Room, it was decorated by Johannes Wiedewelt in 1782–1784 to house the Royal Coin and Medal Collection. It was not until the castle was converted into a museum, during the mid-19th century, that this room was decorated with art and objects from the reign of Frederik VI and named it Frederik VI’s Room.

The furniture and artisanal objects in this room are in the so-called Empire style: a particular neoclassical style that developed in France after the French Revolution (1789–1799). At the height of the Empire period, the source of inspiration was the period of the ancient Roman Empire, in contrast to the neoclassical Louis Seize style, which found its ideals in ancient Greece and Egypt.

Frederik VI and the early 19th century

Frederik VI (1768–1839) was the King of Denmark from 1808 but was the acting king from 1784. This was rough period for Denmark, which was hard hit by a number of major events, including the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, the Bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807 and the bankruptcy of the state. However, even though the early 19t century were a time of economic and military decline for Denmark, the country flourished culturally, and the first half of the century is known as the Golden Age of Danish art and literature.