Frederik IV’s Corridor (room 8)
Frederik IV's Corridor is an important part of Rosenborg Castle's history and architecture. The corridor not only serves as a passageway between two central parts of the castle but is also an impressive gallery featuring artworks and historical objects from Frederik IV's reign.
The Great Northern War and gilded leather on the walls
Frederik IV's Corridor connects the central room on the first floor, Rosen, with the hall at the northern end of the castle.
The corridor's walls are filled to the brim with beautiful paintings and unique historical objects, all from Frederik IV's time (1671-1731).
The Great Northern War, which lasted from 1700-1721, spanned over 20 years of Frederik IV's reign. Therefore, in the mid-1800s, when Rosenborg Castle was converted into a museum, it was decided to gather objects related to the Great Northern War in this corridor. Consequently, there are also several items related to the then Swedish King, Karl XII, and his commander Magnus Stenbock, who was captured by the Danes in 1713.
Peter the Great of Russia (1672-1725), another key figure in the Great Northern War, is also represented by several objects, including a magnificent bust made of gilded lead. In this bust, the Tsar wears Roman attire and a Medusa head in relief on his chest. The bust at Rosenborg is actually a simplified version of a similar bust at the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg.
We know today that the bust existed in the Kunstkammer before 1737, and when the Kunstkammer was dissolved in 1825, it was transferred to the Royal Art Museum, where it remained until this museum was also dissolved in 1867. It was not until 1877 that the bust came to Rosenborg.
Another very special item in this corridor is the ivory compass. It was a personal gift from the Tsar to Frederik IV. The Tsar himself actually turned it, making it the most precious gift one could give – something made by oneself, thus spending one's time on it.
But it's not just the many beautiful objects and paintings that make this corridor so special – the walls behind the paintings also deserve extra attention. They are covered with gilded leather, a type of wallpaper made from animal hides with beautiful gold decorations. The gilded leather in this corridor originally came from Frederiksberg Castle. It was hung at Rosenborg in the mid-1800s when the absolute monarchy in Denmark ended, and several castles and their royal interiors were transferred to the state. During the same period, Rosenborg Castle was converted into a museum, making it convenient to gather many items from the decommissioned castles here.
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.