The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgLouise

Louise

Louise became Queen of Denmark in 1746. Her father was King George II of Great Britain. In 1743 she was married to Crown Prince Frederik (V). She was the mother of Christian (VII).

Louise’s arrival in Denmark marked a change at the Danish Court. Life became much more joyful than it had been during the reign of the strongly Pietist Christian VI and Queen Sophie Magdalene. Louise was fond of parties, theater and dancing. The joyful Queen became exceedingly popular, not least with the population of Copenhagen.

The Queen made a great effort to learn the Danish language and insisted on teaching it to her children also; this contributed to her popularity. Louise gave birth to five children, of which four survived. She died during another pregnancy after only five years as Queen of Denmark.

Relations

Cup of glass

Cup of Norwegian glass, engraved on the occasion of the coronation of Frederik V, 1747. Engraved by H.G. Köhler in Copenhagen.

Frederik V and Louise

Double portrait of Frederik V and Queen Louise, painted on ivory by unknown artist.

Christian VI and family

Christian VI with his family; Sophie Magdalene, Crown prince Frederik (IV) and Princess Louise.

14 Frederik V's Cabinet

This is the first of the rooms occupied by Frederik IV's brother, Prince Carl.

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.

Lehmann’s Large Musical Cabinet

The four metre high musical cabinet is not simply the most impressive example of the craft of furniture making made in Denmark in the 18th century; it also has a built in “music machine” with a mini orchestra. Frederik V was able to impress and enchant his guests in the golden dining room at Christiansborg Palace with the cabinet’s automated trumpet, flute, and cembalo mechanism. Every half hour a bell in the cabinet chimed, after which the finest music in the form of a trumpet fanfare played; the cabinet also played a piece for flutes and cembalos every hour. There was a choice of 14 different pieces for flute, and 7 pieces for trumpet. The cabinet is evidence of extravagant spending, and the price of 6,560 rigsdaler was the equivalent of buying a small palace. Frederik V ordered the piece himself in 1755, and it was already finished two years later. At that time Denmark was a major power, and it was important to display one’s wealth and position. With the cabinet’s virtuoso craftsmanship, noble varieties of wood, lavish gilt bronze fittings, and enormous size, nobody could be in any doubt about the king’s capabilities. Guests at the palace could also let themselves be enthralled by the fact that the court followed the newest fashions; the cabinet was made in the wildest and most advanced form of rococo. Simultaneously, the cabinet exemplified the age’s interest in mechanics. It was before the industrial revolution and there was a great fascination with machines and mechanics, which is for example known from clocks of the time. Automated objects were the preserve of the few, and pure mechanical art in a fantastic guise like the large musical cabinet’s exterior was worthy of a king. The cabinet was in every way a showpiece. You can listen to recordings from the musical cabinet here.

1750-1775

The long peaceful period continued into the second half of the 18th century, and in time the economy also blossomed. The great powers of Europe were at war during long periods and trade found new ways to the benefit of neutral Denmark.

1725-1750

The conclusion of the Great Nordic War in 1720 was the beginning of a long Danish period of peace. Christian VI succeeded Frederik IV in 1730, and his was the first reign during which Denmark was not at war.