The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe PalaceInterior and objectsThe Appartement HallKlismos chair

Klismos chair

Neoclassical chair designed by Nicolai Abildgaard, who designed a number of items of furniture in connection with his renovation of the palace.

‘Klismos’ comes from the Greek klinein, which means ‘bend, lean’. Etymologically it is thus a recliner, though it is probably less comfortable than many modern recliners. This type of chair, with four curved legs and a broad, arched back is known from Greek vase paintings, and these undoubtedly served as a direct inspiration for Abildgaard. The klismos chair is regarded as one of Abildgaard’s most successful items of furniture, and chairs of this type gained a certain popularity following his example.

Relations

Dance Scene from Tahiti

Painted by Nicolai Abildgaard, who led the renovation of the palace after the royal assumption of it. An almost identical motif is to be found in the English explorer James Cook’s travel journal, “A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean” from 1768-71, which inspired Abildgaard to paint this dance scene. Motifs from the great voyages of discovery were a popular form of decoration at the end of the 18th Century.

Throne

The throne was designed by Joseph Christian Lillie (1760-1827) and was originally made for Christian VII's Palace. Nicolai Abildgaard's original throne has been lost.

Balcony

The two Royal Couples who resided in the palace (Christian VIII and Queen Caroline Amalie, and Christian X Queen Alexandrine respectively) greeted the populace from this balcony in Christian VIII's Palace many times.

Norwegian chandelier

The chandelier in the Gala Hall was a present to Prince Christian (X) from his mother, the then Crown Princess Lovisa, who gave it to him in 1903.

Nicolai Abildgaard

Painter and architect, Nicolai Abildgaard is well-known for many renowned artworks, the most famous of which is The Wounded Philoctetes, painted in Rome.