Iconic at Frederiksborg Castle – Seven works that define Danish history
A new way into the collection. From October 10, Frederiksborg presents the special exhibition Iconic – Into History. Seven carefully selected works act as gateways to key epochs in Danish history – from Renaissance power women to contemporary critique.
Works that capture the spirit of their time
Each work is iconic because it embodies the essence of an era:
Otto Bache’s “The Conspirators Ride from Finderup Barn” – a dramatic expression of 19th-century national romanticism and history painting.
Birgitte Gøye – portrait of one of the Renaissance’s most influential noblewomen.
Christian IV by Pieter Isaacsz – the king with lace and pearl, reflecting trade, seafaring, and royal self-staging.
The Gottorf Globe – newly restored and contextualised by experts, offering a glimpse into the 17th-century heliocentric worldview.
Abildgaard’s “Temple of Fortune” – a satirical commentary on society.
Constantin Hansen’s “The Constituent Assembly” – the birth of Danish democracy in paint.
Peter Carlsen’s “Denmark 2009” – a contemporary mirror of recent times.
A sensory path through history
The exhibition uses the Gateway approach, inspired by the British Museum. Clear markers, light, sound, and interaction guide visitors through the works, making history both tangible and accessible while inviting discovery and reflection.