The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgBénoit le Coffre

Bénoit le Coffre

Bènoit le Coffre was the most important painter in Denmark during the reign of Frederik IV. He was born in Copenhagen and educated in Paris. He followed in the footsteps of his father and became a decorator of ceilings. In 1700 he was appointed Painter of the Court.

Le Coffre worked in Rosenborg in 1705-06, when Frederik IV converted and modernised parts of the Castle. For example, Christian IV’s old bathroom was converted into a chamber for Queen Louise. Here le Coffre painted A Bacchanal, one of his most beautiful ceiling paintings. He also painted in Frederiksberg Palace; for example A Masquerade, which is among the most outstanding Danish ceiling paintings that have been preserved.

Le Coffre executed four portraits of Frederik IV. One of them, together with a painting of Sophie Hedevig, the King’s sister, is at Rosenborg. The ability to combine portrait and genre painting was a particular characteristic of le Coffre’s work.

 

Relations

Sophie Hedevig, 1696

Portrait of Princess Sophie Hedevig, daughter of Christian V, painted by Bénoit le Coffre.

8 Frederik IV's Corridor

This corridor is situated on the first floor and connects the central room, The Rose, with the northern end of the Palace. The walls in the corridor are covered with gilt leather tapestries from Frederiksberg Palace.  

13 The Rose

The name "The Rose" dates from the time of Frederik IV, when this central antechamber was used as a dining hall for the ladies and gentlemen of the court.

6: Christian V's Hall

This was originally the living room of Christian IV's morganatic (left-hand) wife, Kirsten Munk. During the reign of Frederik III, it became a part of the King's suite as an antechamber to the Marble Room.

4A: The Garden Room

The bathroom was closed in 1705-1706 and converted into a room for Frederik IV and Queen Louise, in connection with their shared bedroom.

Sophie Hedevig

Princess Sophie Hedevig was the daughter of Christian V and Charlotte Amalie. She was the sister of Frederik IV.

1675-1700

From 1675 to 1679 the Scanian War was fought with Sweden. But the final goal, to win back Scania, was not reached as no European state would allow both sides of Øresund to be ruled by the same power again.

1700-1725

The 18th century was initiated with yet another war between Denmark and Sweden. For Denmark the war was brief, but for Sweden it was the beginning of the Great Nordic War, which Denmark became part of again from 1709.