The Royal Danish Collection

Christian IV’s Writing Room (room 2)

In this small room, time has virtually stood still since the time of Christian IV, who spent much of his time here at Rosenborg Castle – which he always described as his favourite castle.

Christian IV's study, where time has almost stood still

This is where Christian IV penned his many letters

 

It was probably in this chamber that Christian IV conducted his extensive correspondence, and it is easy to imagine him in here, working. Today, the study is known as the Writing Room, as that is probably how it was known during The King’s time. 

Exceptionally, most of the original interior in this room has been preserved since Christian IV’s time – from the ceiling paintings, with scenes from the Italian epic Orlando Furioso, to the panels with embedded paintings, and the fireplace. However, we do know that the wall coverings of green silk with printed gold ornaments date from around 1700.

Behind the hidden jib door

If you look at the north wall of the room, you can see the hidden jib door. Behind it, Christian IV had a stair with direct access to the basement. Frederik III (1609–1677) later had the staircase replaced with a so-called ascenseur, or ‘ascending chair’, which was very fashionable at the time. The chair could be pulled up to the first and second floors, so that The King did not have to climb the stairs himself. Unfortunately, we only know the chair from sources, as it no longer exists.

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.

  • 201
  • 202
    Prince Christian, the Prince Elect, on horseback; in the background, his father, as in no. 203. Painted by Adrian Muiltjes c. 1635-39.
  • 203
    Christian IV on horseback in front of Kronborg Castle; in the background, the Prince Elect, on horseback, as in no. 202. Same painter as above.
  • 204
    Carved head of a stag, with the antlers of the stag which, on 28th December 1611, alarmed by the advancing Swedes, fled into the Danish camp in Kalmar and thus warned the army.
  • 206
    Christian II (1481-1559; King 1513-23). Painted on wood; old copy from Quentin Massys.
  • 207
    Frederik I (1471-1533; King 1523). Painted on wood. Jacob Binck, c. 1540?
  • 208
    Painting of Queen Anne Cathrine's dog, with her monogram on its collar, dated 1598.
  • 209
    Christian IV c. 1612. Painted by Pieter Isaacsz.
    209_Muligvis et af de mest kendte portrætter af Christian 4.
  • 210
    Clock with moving figures: the Emperor and the seven Electors. South Germany, c. 1600. Transferred to Copenhagen from the Cabinet of Couriosities at Gottorp Castle in 1750.
  • 211
    Scriptor of ebony, dated 1580 and presumably made in Nuremberg. On the drawers are reliefs of gilt bronze depicting the 12 Labours of Hercules and the 12 patriarchs. On the sides are engraved metal plates with copies of Virgilius Solis's biblical illustrations from 1560 and on the top engravings from Solis’s illustrations to Ovid’s Metamorphoses, 1563. The four lion feet have moveable jaws and eyes. The pedestal is modern. Transferred to Copenhagen from the Cabinet of Curiosities at Gottorp Castle in 1751.
  • 212
    Chair upholstered in silk velvet brocade interwoven with the King's cipher, C4. Made at the silkfactory in Copenhagen c. 1623.
  • 213
    Stools carved by Christian Nerger c. 1690, upholstered as no. 212.
  • 214
    Brass andirons from Christian IV's last years.
  • 215
    Window pane with the coat-of-arms of Holstein-Gottorp, and the name of Duke Johan Adolph of Holstein-Gottorp (1575-1616), brother-in law of Christian IV.
  • 216
    Fountain cock in the shape of Neptune riding on a dolphin. 17th century. From the "Hermitage" (now the Hercules Pavilion) in The King's Garden (Kongens Have).
  • 218
    Portrait of Frederik II's widow, the Dowager Queen Sophie. Detail of a full-length portrait painted by Pieter Isaacsz, c. 1610-15.
  • 219
    Christian IV. Painting signed: A.M. (Adrian Muiltjes?), 1638.
  • 220
    Queen Sophie, wife of Frederik II, née Duchess of Mecklenburg (1557-1631); married in 1572. The Queen is probably wearing her wedding costume and crown of gold with white pearls. Painted by Hans Knieper 1578?
  • 221
    Christian IV as a boy; painted about 1585 by Hans Knieper.
  • 222
    Alabaster relief of Frederik II, made after the death of the King (1588) by Gert van Egen?
  • 223
    Tin mug; part of Christian IV’s and Kirsten Munk’s daughter Princess Sophie Elisabeth's dowry, 1632-1633. Found by excavation in Gothersgade.
  • 224
    Tin plate from among the dowry given by Christian IV to his son, Hans Ulrik Gyldenløve, in 1638.
  • 225
    Mug of stoneware, with the Danish arms. Rhenish work, 1623.
  • 226
    Silver tankard, made in 1584 for Duke Julius of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1528-89) in commemoration of the foundation of Heinrichstadt, today part of Wolfenbüttel.
  • 227
    Brass ornamental dish and bronze chafing dish; part of Leonora Christina's dowry, 1636.
  • 228
    Silver lantern made for Christian IV by the Copenhagen goldsmith Hans Trægaard.
  • 229
    Silver cup with Kirsten Munk's coat-of-arms and name; the hallmark of Hamburg and the maker's mark of Hermann Lambrecht.
  • 230
    Silver mug, with Kirsten Munk's name and coat-of-arms and the year 1653. Made by Daniel Harder in Odense.
  • 231
    Tankard of silver in the form of a manikin. The handle in the form of two entwined monkeys. Stamped AB, presumably for Arent van Bolten, Amsterdam 1608.
  • 232
    The Psalms of David, bound in silver, with David playing the harp.
  • 233
    Covered cup of silver made for Christian IV in 1600 by Gabriel Brockmüller in Hillerød as the prize in a wager with four courtiers; he who became intoxicated first was the loser. Known as the Temperance Cup.
  • 234
    Two salt cellars of Wanli porcelain, set in brass gilt with pearls, turquoises and precious stones. From c. 1610?
  • 235
    King Christian IV's seal, used in the Court of Justice. 1630.
  • 236
    King Christian IV's privy seal.
  • 237
    The seal of the town of Christiansstad (in Scania).
  • 238
    Two dog collars of leather. Belonged to the Electress Hedevig of Saxony (1581-1641), Christian IV's sister.
  • 239
    Two small bedside lamps of silver and rock crystal in the shape of ships. Christian IV period.
  • 240
    Christian IV and Queen Anne Cathrine, silver plaquettes in frame of later date; attributed to Nicolaus Svabe, after J.v. Doordt.
  • 241
    Christian IV's compass, from 1595, of silver gilt.
  • 242
    Miniature on copper of Frederik III when young.
  • 243
    Grass snake's head with Salzburger guilder. According to the Kunstkammer (Cabinet of Curiosities) inventory, found by Frederik III near Frederiksborg after the Swedish siege. Another tradition from the last century has it that Christian IV dropped the coin while out walking near Frederiksborg. The King cut off the snake's head, but it kept its hold on the coin.
  • 244
    Christian IV, painted by A. Magerstadt?
  • 245
    Christian IV. Enamelled miniature on gold, c. 1640. By unknown artist.
  • 246
    Balance, silver. Made by Konrad Most and Urban Wolf, Nuremberg 1585-98.
  • 247
    Table clock made 1561 by Steffen Brenner; presented to Christian IV by his father in 1584: the dial was restored under Frederik V.
  • 248
    Portrait of Christian IV in wax repoussé, c. 1640.
  • 250
    Christian III (1503-59; King 1534). Silver plate, engraved by Jacob Binck, 1535.
  • 251
    Frederik II (1534-88; King 1559). Alabaster relief, showing the King on horseback.