The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects3: Christian IV's BedroomChr. IV on death-bed

Chr. IV on death-bed

Christian IV on his death-bed. Painted by Bernt Hilwaerts, 1648. Christian IV died in his bedchamber at Rosenborg at his own will. After the wounds inflicted from the naval battle of Kolbergerheide 1644, including the loss of sight on his right eye, he was only portrayed from his left side, so as to not show the scars. It was customary to portray deceased members of the royal family, and one can for instance find several paintings of various others in the castle.

Relations

Ear ornaments

Ear ornaments in white gold enamel shaped as hands, holding splinters from a blown up cannon and a Swedish cannon ball that injured Christian IV in the naval battle of Kolberger Heide. The ornaments belonged to Vibeke Kruse.

Fr. VI lying in state

Frederik VI lying in state. Painted by S.P.L. Schack.

Christian IV's vision

Christian IV’s vision before the naval battle of Listerdyb, 1644. The painting illustrates the King’s dream of an honourable resurrection the night before his victory over a superior Swedish-Dutch fleet. Christian IV supposedly had a lot of visions during his reign. Unknown artist.

Blood-stained clothes

Christian IV's blood-stained clothes from the naval battle of Kolberger Heide, 1st July 1644.

Christian IV, 1585

Portrait of Christian IV at the age of 7 a short while after he was elected the crownprince and succesor by the Royal Council; painted around 1585 by Hans Knieper.

Painting of Christ

Painting of Christ as “The Man of Sorrows”. It is painted according to Christian IV’s vision at Rotenburg Castle, 8th December 1625, and his own handwritten description.

1625-1650

The second half of Christian IV's reign became a time of recession. The economic crisis became more severe, and at the same time the fortunes of war turned.