The Royal Danish Collection

The Dark Room (room 4)

The Dark Room has been as dark as it is now since 1616, when the Great Tower was added to Rosenborg. After the tower was built, the room no longer received direct daylight.

From anteroom to shared bedroom

This room was originally connected to the Stone Corridor and served as an anteroom separating the King's chambers at one end of the castle from the Queen's chambers at the south end. In 1705, it was converted into a shared bedroom for Frederik IV and Queen Louise.

The stucco ceiling in the room dates back to the time when the castle was built and was crafted by Valentin Dresler from Schmalkalden. The fireplace with the mirror above and the silk tapestries were added while Frederik IV used the castle.

Objects in the room

If you are at the museum, you can admire the fascinating objects in the room and read more about them below. 

The descriptions are brief and generally do not include images. They are intended as an added resource if you would like more detailed information about an item, such as who made it, its origin and its meaning.

  • 400
    Frederik III: oval, half-length, painted by Michael van Haven?
  • 401
    Wax bust of Frederik III sculpted by Louis-Augustin le Clerc in Copenhagen in 1751. The cabinet was made by Dietrich Schäffer.
  • 402
    Wax bust of Prince Jørgen, made by Antoine Benoist in Paris, 1669. Cabinet by court cabinet-maker Hans Balche.
  • 403
    Wax bust of Sophie Amalie, attributed to Antoine Benoist. The cabinet by Dietrich Schäffer 1742-43
    403_Voksbuste af Dronning Sophie Amalie
  • 404
    Queen Sophie Amalie; oval, half-length, oil on copper, painted by Abraham Wuchters, c. 1680.
  • 405
    Ebony cabinet inlaid with tortoiseshell on red ground. In the interior biblical scenes painted on copper. Antwerp c. 1650.
  • 406
    Frederik III and Sophie Amalie on horseback, painted in the centre of a wreath of flowers, probably by O. Elliger, c. 1655.
  • 407
    Cabinet of walnut veneer, tulips in dyed sycamore and bone and inlaid with Florentine mosaic. Ebony stand. Denmark, c. 1680.
  • 408
    Ebony cabinet inlaid with ivory. Behind the central door a hall of mirrors. Denmark 1650-75?
  • 409
    Queen Sophie Amalie, consort of Frederik III. Three-quarter length, by Abraham Wuchters.
  • 410
    Ebony cupboard clad on the inside with tortoiseshell, ivory, and flowers made of coloured bone. A dancing peasant couple is depicted in the mirrored vestibule, carved after an engraving by Albrecht Dürer.
  • 411
    Prince Jørgen (George) (1653-1708), Christian V's brother; Prince Consort of England, married to Anne, who succeeded to the throne of England. Three-quarter portrait after John Riley.