The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects4: The Dark Room
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4: The Dark Room

This room was originally connected to the Stone Passage and served as an antechamber dividing the King’s apartments from those of the Queen at the south end of the palace. In 1616 the room lost direct daylight following the building of the Great Tower, where Christian IV installed his bathroom with running water. In 1705 it became the bedchamber of the King and Queen.

The stucco ceiling was made by Valentin Dresler from Schmalkalden in connection with the building of the room. The fireplace with mirror and the silk tapestries date from the reign of Frederik IV. The striped tapestries with scalloped pelmets and tassels were probably inspired by the designs of the Dutchman Daniel Marot for the decoration of the stately homes of the time.

The armchair, which dates from the 17th century, was ingeniously constructed to hold down a guest with the use of securing devices, concealed in the armrests. The strapped person could then be soaked by water running from vessels in the back of the chair through pipes in the seat. When the victim was released and stood up from the chair, a trumpet hidden in the seat would toot.

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Objects in this room
400-409
400. Frederik III: oval, half-length, painted by Michael van Haven?
401. Wax bust of Frederik III sculpted by Louis-Augustin le Clerc in Copenhagen in 1751. The cabinet was made by Dietrich Schäffer.
402. Wax bust of Prince Jørgen, made by Antoine Benoist in Paris, 1669. Cabinet by court cabinet-maker Hans Balche.
403. Wax bust of Sophie Amalie, attributed to Antoine Benoist. The cabinet by Dietrich Schäffer 1742-43
404. Queen Sophie Amalie; oval, half-length, oil on copper, painted by Abraham Wuchters, c. 1680.
405. Ebony cabinet inlaid with tortoiseshell on red ground. In the interior biblical scenes painted on copper. Antwerp c. 1650.
406. Frederik III and Sophie Amalie on horseback, painted in the centre of a wreath of flowers, probably by O. Elliger, c. 1655.
407. Cabinet of walnut veneer, tulips in dyed sycamore and bone and inlaid with Florentine mosaic. Ebony stand. Denmark, c. 1680.
408. Ebony cabinet inlaid with ivory. Behind the central door a hall of mirrors. Denmark 1650-75?
409. Queen Sophie Amalie, consort of Frederik III. Three-quarter length, by Abraham Wuchters.
410-411
410. Ebony cupboard clad on the inside with tortoiseshell, ivory, and flowers made of coloured bone. A dancing peasant couple is depicted in the mirrored vestibule, carved after an engraving by Albrecht Dürer.
411. Prince Jørgen (George) (1653-1708), Christian V’s brother; Prince Consort of England, married to Anne, who succeeded to the throne of England. Three-quarter portrait after John Riley.

Relations

Abraham Wuchters

The dutch painter and engraver Abraham Wuchters was employed by the Academy of Sorø as "sketching master" in 1638. He painted several portraits of Christian IV.

Sophie Amalie

Sophie Amalie became Queen of Denmark in 1648. She was the daughter of Duke George of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and in 1643 she was married to Frederik (III). Sophie Amalie was the mother of Christian V.

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.

1650-1675

The wars of Charles Gustavus (1657-1658 and 1658-1660) were the important events in foreign politics of the period. The loss of Scania, Halland and Blekinge at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 was a nadir of power politics in Danish history.

Frederik III

Frederik III was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1648; he was married to Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1643 and father to Christian V.