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Christian IX

Christian IX is an equestrian statue by Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen, overlooking Christiansborg Ridebane on Slotsholmen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Unveiled on 15 November 1927, it was the first equestrian statue of a monarch created by a woman sculptor. The monument was commissioned after Christian IX’s death in 1906, to complement the equestrian statue of Frederick VII in front of Christiansborg Palace. Carl-Nielsen won an invited competition in 1908 and found the model for the horse in Hannover, Germany. The statue was cast in royal bronze at Carl and Poul Lauritz Rasmussen’s foundry in Nørrebro, with a plinth designed by Andreas Clemmesen.

Christian IX equestrian statue on a tall stone pedestal in an open square, with ornate buildings and a slender tower behind it.
The equestrian statue of Christian IX stands in an open square near Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
© · CC BY 2.0
Christian IX equestrian statue in bronze against a blue sky, with a building facade behind it.
Christian IX on horseback, shown in front of a traditional building facade and clear sky.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Christian IX equestrian statue in front of a large stone building with many windows.
The equestrian statue of Christian IX stands before the Christiansborg Palace courtyard in Copenhagen.
May 2016 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
An equestrian statue of Christian IX stands newly erected as several suited onlookers gather below and look up.
The newly erected equestrian statue of Christian IX seen with onlookers gathered in the foreground.
1911 © Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0
Christian IX equestrian statue seen through a dark stone archway, with a sunlit plaza and parked cars beyond.
Christian IX on horseback is visible in the distance beyond the archway at Christiansborg Palace.
April 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

Typeequestrian statue
TitleChristian IX

Iconography and meaning

Depicted figureKing Christian IX of Denmark

Appearance

DepictionChristian IX of Denmark on horseback, holding the horse's reins in his left hand

Location and ownership

LocationChristiansborg Ridebane, Slotsholmen, Copenhagen, Denmark
SiteChristiansborg Ridebane
IslandSlotsholmen
CityCopenhagen
CountryDenmark

Creator

ArtistAnne Marie Carl-Nielsen

Historical context

Related palaceChristiansborg Palace, third and current building
Previous palace destroyed by fireThe second Christiansborg Palace was destroyed in 1884
Palace reconstruction began1907
CompetitionInvited competition held in 1908
Competition winnerAnne Marie Carl-Nielsen
PurposeTo commemorate Christian IX and complement the equestrian statue of Frederick VII in front of Christiansborg Palace
Commissioned afterChristian IX's death on 29 January 1906

Physical characteristics

MaterialBronze
Preparation modelWooden model erected in 1911 at Christiansborg Ridebane

Materials

Horse model sourceFound in Hanover, Germany
Casting foundryRoyal Bronze Foundry of Carl and Poul Lauritz Rasmussen, Nørrebro
Plinth designerAndreas Clemmesen
Plinth executionExecuted in the workshop of the stonemason Scheller

History and restoration

Unveiled15 November 1927

Significance

Historical significanceFirst equestrian statue of a monarch created by a woman sculptor