The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe kingsChristian IVChristian IV's time

Christian IV’s time

Relations

Christian IV, 1612

Christian IV c. 1612. Painted by Pieter Isaacsz.

Chalice

Chalice, paten, wafer box and altar jug of gold with engraving in niello, white and black enamel, sapphires and diamonds.

Dirich Fyring

The goldsmith Dirich Fyring arrived in Odense in the late 16th century. In 1581 he went into the service of Frederik II. In 1596 he was assigned to make Christian IV's crown. This is the only work by him known to have been preserved.

Jacob van Doordt

The painter Jacob van Doordt originally worked in Hamburg where he got to know the traditional painting style used for princely portraits. Most of his work was executed on journeys to Brunswick, Gottorp, Denmark and England.

2: Christian IV's Writing Room

In this tower chamber, which was easily heated, Christian IV carried out his vast correspondence.

Corfitz Ulfeldt

Corfitz Ulfeldt married Christian IV’s daughter Leonora Christina in 1636. He became the governor of Copenhagen Castle in 1637, ‘rigshofmester’ (the highest standing civil servant) in 1643, and quickly became the privy council’s leading figure. His relationship with Christian IV soured towards the end of the king’s reign. The situation only got worse once Frederik III had ascended the throne, and in 1651 Ulfeldt fled together with Leonora Christina. He entered Swedish service and was one of the chief negotiators on the Swedish side in 1658, when Scania, Halland, and Blekinge were ceded to Sweden in the Treaty of Roskilde. Ulfeldt was arrested by the Swedes in 1659, accused of treason. He and Leonora Christina succeeded in fleeing back to Denmark, where they were held captive at Hammershus castle until the king released them on strict conditions. Ulfeldt soon went abroad again; he offered the Danish throne to the Elector of Brandenburg, and in 1663 he was accused of high treason. A doll of Corfitz was ‘executed’ and a monument of infamy erected in Copenhagen. He died on the run in a boat on the Rhine.

Peephole

As a king one was obliged to perform a number of duties, including recieving various guest of high and low, oftentimes in designated audience rooms.

Ellen Marsvin

The noble lady Ellen Marsvin was the mother of Kirsten Munk, Christian IV’s second wife. Ellen Marsvin was one of the greatest landowners in Denmark in her time.