4.5 The Ceiling and Window Glades in the Winter Room
The paintings adorning the ceiling were originally designed for and placed in the room at the floor directly above; they date from 1619 and were painted by Pieter Isaacsz (1569-1625)[1-2].1 As Jørgen Hein remarks, it is possible that here, originally, amidst the white stucco decorations by Valentin Dressler, the big square perspective painting from about 1620 representing Christian IV’s famous court musicians (Musikanterloftet) was placed [3]. This would have made the impact of the ‘secret’ music, coming from the cellar, even stronger.2
1
Pieter Isaacsz
Banquet of the gods, 1619-1620
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
3
Anonymous Denmark c. 1620 possibly Frantz Klein or possibly Søren Kiær
Trompe l'oeil with musicians behind a balustrade, c. 1620
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
2
Pieter Isaacsz
Giants attacking the gods of mount Olympus, 1619-1620
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
The window recesses are decorated with 12 panels showing allegorical female figures or Emblemata with representations of the three Theological Virtues, the four Cardinal Virtues, and some of the seven Vices or Sins. In the window facing east we find personifications of Faith and Earth [4-5]. Facing the west we encounter Hope and Charity, Pax or Victory and Abundance, Fertility and Virtue [6-11]. The interpretation of the two original emblemata in the north windows is problematic, although one seems to represent Claritas or Fama [12]. Although the compositions seems to be based on prints, no models have been found yet. The later additions from 1758 are more decorative than actually referring to any virtue [13-16].
4
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Faith (Fides), 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
5
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Earth (Cybele), 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
6
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Hope (Spes), 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
7
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Charity (Caritas), 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
8
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Female Personification, 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
9
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Abundance (Abundantia), 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
10
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Fertility (Ceres), 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
11
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Personification of Virtuousness, 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
12
Anonymous Denmark 1614/1615
Sitting female figure, a personification, Claritas or Fama?, 1614/1615
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
13
Anonymous Denmark 1758
Standing female figure holding a bunch of flowers, a personification, 1758
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
14
Anonymous Denmark 1758
Standing female figure holding a cross with a pennon, a personification, 1758
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
15
Anonymous Denmark 1758
Standing female figure holding a cross with a pennon, a personification, Ceres (?), 1758
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle
16
Anonymous Denmark 1758
Standing female figure holding a basket of fruit, a personification, Pomona (?), 1758
Copenhagen, The Royal Danish Collection - Rosenborg Castle