The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgJørgen Balthasar Dalhoff

Jørgen Balthasar Dalhoff

Jørgen Dalhoff was a modeller and artisan. He was born on the island of Falster and was apprenticed as a goldsmith in 1815. He later studied at the ornament school of the Academy of Arts.

At the request of Prince Christian (VIII), Dalhoff undertook a long journey abroad from 1824 to 1827, which included a stay in Rome, where he visited Thorvaldsen’s studio. After his return he became a master goldsmith, and at the same time he began teaching at the Academy of Arts. Here he made a great practical effort to improve the training of Danish artisans.

Late Empire style, the so-called Christian VIII style, became Dalhoff’s idiom. His most important works as a bronze caster are the Goddess of Victory in the Thorvaldsen’s Museum and the statues in front of Christiansborg Palace. A helmet of aluminium made by Dalhoff for Frederik VII is kept at Rosenborg.

 

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Frederik VII's helmet

Frederik VII’s general’s helmet made of aluminium, by J.B. Dalhoff, c. 1859. The lightweight aluminium was then a newly developed and very expensive metal.

18 Frederik VII's Room

This room, which mainly contains exhibits with a connection to the life and government of Frederik VII, was designed only five years after Frederik VII's death in 1863.

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Bertel Thorvaldsen is one of the most famous sculptors in Denmark. His work was clearly inspired by classiscal Greece and Rome.

1825-1850

The years towards the middle of the 19th century became increasingly marked by the national conflict between the Danes and Germans in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. It culminated in the Three Years' War, or the First Schleswig War in 1848-51.

1850-1875

The social and political revolts in Europe in 1848 had ushered in new times for European states, and for Denmark too. But even though the absolute monarchy was abolished with the Constitution of 1849, the monarchy was far from disengaged from power.

Frederik VII

Frederik VII was the King of Denmark from 1848; son of Christian VIII and Charlotte Frederikke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was married three times but had no heirs.

Christian VIII

Christian VIII was the King of Denmark from 1839. His mother was Sophie Frederikke, wife of Christian VII's brother Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive.