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Equestrian Statue of Christian V

The equestrian statue of Christian V stands at the center of Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is the oldest of the five surviving equestrian statues of Danish monarchs in the city. Created by the French sculptor Abraham-César Lamoureux, it was inspired by French equestrian statues, themselves based on Marcus Aurelius. Dating from 1688, it was originally made in gilded lead. Because the soft metal caused structural problems over time, especially in the horse’s front left leg, the statue was recast in bronze by Professor Einar Utzon-Frank between 1939 and 1942. The new casting was inaugurated on 22 May 1946.

Christian V equestrian statue showing an armored rider on a rearing horse atop an ornate pedestal with sculptural figures.
Christian V equestrian statue in Copenhagen, with the bronze rider and horse raised above an elaborate sculpted base.
© Trond Arild Ydersbond · CC BY-SA 4.0
Christian V equestrian statue on a stone pedestal behind a fence in a landscaped park with flower beds and historic buildings beyond.
Christian V Equestrian Statue in Copenhagen, set among flower beds with historic buildings in the background.
· CC BY 2.5
Christian V equestrian statue in a park-like setting with large trees and a building in the background.
Christian V’s equestrian statue stands among trees in Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen.
1914 © Kristian Kongstad (1867-1929) · Public domain
Christian V Equestrian Statue silhouetted on a pedestal in a misty nighttime park with bare trees and streetlights.
The Christian V Equestrian Statue appears as a dark silhouette in a misty park at night.
© · Public domain
Close-up of a weathered, green-blue patinated statue head with wavy hair and a spiked headdress.
Detail of the Christian V equestrian statue, showing the heavily weathered patina on the figure’s head and upper torso.
December 2011 © Orf3us · CC BY 3.0

Identification

TitleEquestrian statue of Christian V
SubjectChristian V of Denmark
Typeequestrian statue

Historical context

StyleBaroque
Planned settingKongens Nytorv was designed as a French-style royal square
Date1688

Creator

SculptorAbraham-César Lamoureux
Artist nationalityFrench
Commissioned toAbraham-César Lamoureux

Discovery and provenance

Erection attended byNicodemus Tessin the Younger
Location at inaugurationthe centre of a Baroque garden with trees around a parterre
Commissioned forthe centre of Kongens Nytorv
Commissioned afterthe coronation of Christian V in 1670
Inaugurated1688
Erected1687
Material acquisitionLamoureux acquired material for the statue in 1682
Creation beganprobably around 1682

Materials

Casting materialsoft metal
Current materialbronze
Original materialgilded lead

History and restoration

Material conversion date1939-1942
Reinaugurated22 May 1946
Recast byProfessor Einar Utzon-Frank of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
Structural issueThe soft metal caused serious problems, especially with the horse's front left leg, and the construction had to be reinforced
Design inspirationThe equestrian statue of Louis XIII in the centre of Place des Vosges

Location and ownership

Locationcentre of Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen, Denmark
Square redesignIn 1747, Frederik V rebuilt Kongens Nytorv as a military drill and ceremonial ground for the king's troops
Square use after redesignMilitary drill and ceremonial ground for the king's troops until 1908
Square restored1908, when it was restored to its original design

Physical characteristics

DepictionChristian V shown in the guise of a Roman emperor with a laurel-crowned helmet
Pedestal figuresFour allegorical figures
Horse poseTrot-like gait

Iconography and meaning

Additional support figureA crouching nude man beneath the horse's hoof, personifying envy and supporting the horse's barrel, the weakest point of the statue
Front pedestal figuresMinerva and Hercules, representing prudence and strength
Horse inspirationThe Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius at the Capitoline Hill
Rear pedestal figuresAlexander the Great and Artemisia, representing fortitude and honor

Significance

SignificanceThe oldest of the five surviving equestrian statues of Danish monarchs in Copenhagen