The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects7A: The stairway to the Stair TurretChristian V with His Half-Brother, c. 1671

Christian V with His Half-Brother, c. 1671

Christian V in conversation with his elder half-brother Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, and with Count Anthon Aldenburg (1633-1680). Grisaille by Anton Steenwinkel. The Gyldenløve family, the king’s ‘natural’, which is to say illegitimate children, played an important role in the political machinations of 17th century Denmark. As children of the king, they had high status in the class-divided society. At the same time, however, they were excluded from line of succession, and thus had no dynastic ambitions, making them extremely loyal to the reigning king.

Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve was the issue of a relationship Frederik (III) had with Margrethe Pape, before he married Sophie Amalie in 1643.

Relations

Queen Charlotte Amalie and Elsgen

Queen Charlotte Amalie, the wife of Christian V, painted by Jacob d’Agar around 1690.

Count Griffenfeld

Peder Schumacher, Count Griffenfeld (1635-99). Painting by Abraham Wuchters.

Christian V, ca. 1690

Christian V, painted by Jacob d’Agar. The gilded framing includes various symbols of masculine virtues such as the weapons of war and the lion of peace.

Christian V as the prince elect

It was considered of great importance to be able to defend not only the people but more sayingly the various provinces and borders of the danish kingdom.

Griffenfeld, 1675

Portrait of Count Peder Schumacher Griffenfeld. Enamelled miniature made by Paul Prieur 1675.

Christian V, 1681

Christian V. Enamelled miniature made by Paul Prieur 1681.

Christian V

Christian V was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1670; son of Frederik III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was married to Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel in 1667. He was the father of Frederik IV.

Cup, rock crystal

Cup made of rock crystal, carved in the shape of a flying fish. Presented to Christian V by Queen Sophie Amalie after the capture of Wismar in 1675. Made in Milan c. 1580.