Christian VIII’s Room (room 17)
Here you can see objects and paintings from the life of Christian VIII and the very last years of absolute monarchy.
Christian VIII and the bourgeois late classicism
The history and furnishing of the room
This room, like Frederik VII's room right next to it, was remodeled in the early 1700s. It was during this time that the room acquired its current form. However, the ceiling has been preserved from the time of Christian IV.
When Rosenborg was converted into a museum in the mid-1800s, it was decided for the sake of chronology to assign this room pictures and objects from Christian VIII (1786-1848).
Many of the objects in this room date from Christian VIII's youth, which was marked by his brief reign in Norway in 1814.
Danish Golden Age exemplified in a table clock
Danish art and literature experienced a golden age in the first half of the 19th century; an important trend was the so-called Biedermeier style, where everyday life and close things came into focus. A fine example of this is the table clock with the bronze statuette of Christian VIII. The king sits relaxed in a chair – a clear contrast to the very stiff royal portraits of earlier times.
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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1700Christian VIII; painted by W.N. Marstrand 1843.
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1701Charlotte Frederikke. Christian VIII's first wife and Frederik VII's mother. By unknown artist.
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1702Queen Caroline Amalie, painted by H.Chr. Jensen 1879.
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1703Christian VIII. Drawing by Mlle Romili.
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1704Queen Caroline Amalie. Drawing by Mlle Romili.
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1705Sofa with mahogany carving. Made for Christiansborg Palace, c. 1840.
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1707Cabinet for Christian Horneman’s collection of miniatures which Christian VIII bought from the artist.
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1708Christian VIII. Half-length, from c. 1812. Painted by C.G.Kratzenstein-Stub?
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1711
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1712
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1713
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1714
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1715
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1716
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1717
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1718
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1720Mantelpiece clock with bronze statuette of Christian VIII. Signed: A. & W. Jacobsen.
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1721Christian VIII. Watercolour by C.E. Sonne, after coronation picture by Eckersberg.
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1722Queen Caroline Amalie. Drawing from the anointing of the Queen; by I.V. Gertner.
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1723The coronation procession of Christian VIII across the courtyard of Frederiksborg Castle, 28th June 1840, painted by I.V. Gertner.
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1724Christian VIII. Marble bust, made by F.C. Stramboe.
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1725Heiress Presumptive Caroline as young, painted by F.C. Grøger.
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1726Heiress Presumptive Caroline’s study at Bernstorff’s Palace. Coloured drawing, signed by Andreas Juuel from 1850s.
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1727Christian VIII at his desk in his study at Amalienborg. Drawing signed: Chr. Hetsch 1881.
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1728Mahogany writing table with gilded bronze fittings from Christian VIII's study at Amalienborg (See no. 1727).
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1729Christian VIII. Equestrian statuette of silver, made by Adelgunde Herbst.
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1730Silver jewel box, French work; presented to Queen Caroline Amalie by Mr. Donner, titular Councillor, Altona.
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1731Horseman. Ivory figurine from Christian VIII’s private collection.
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1732Queen Caroline Amalie, painted by F.C. Grøger.
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1733Princess Charlotte, Frederik VII's mother; painted by F.C. Grøger.
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1734Two mahogany armchairs with gilded carving. Belonged to Landgrave Vilhelm of Hesse, North Germany, c. 1820.
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1735Necklace of gold with blue enamel. On the clasp, Princess Charlotte Frederikke's monogram.
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1738Gold seal with cornelian plate; in the coat-of-arms the Norwegian Lion is seen in the top field. Used by Christian VIII as King of Norway 1814.
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1739Three seals used by Christian VIII.
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1740Clock with enamel, made in Hanau and presented, in 1794, to the eight year old Christian (VIII).
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1741Child's spoon of silver gilt and silver tablespoon (master: A. Michelsen); used by Christian VIII for medicine, shortly before his death.
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1742A Norwegian bank note, Christiania 1814.
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1743Norwegian chamberlain's keys from 1814.