Did you notice how Frederik den Sjette Statue greets visitors? It stands just inside the main entrance to Frederiksberg Park at Frederiksberg Runddel. The statue is in the Frederiksberg district of Copenhagen. This is no ordinary statue.
Unveiled on September 10, 1858, the Frederik den Sjette Statue is a bronze creation. Herman Wilhelm Bissen crafted it and is considered one of his best works. Look at the statue. It is the first public depiction of a Danish monarch in everyday attire. Previous sculptures showed monarchs in antiquity clothing or gala uniform.
The Frederik den Sjette Statue offers a down-to-earth portrayal of Frederik VI. The king is not on a horse. He does not wear a toga. He is in an everyday uniform with a long coat and boots. His right hand rests on his waist. The left hand is on his sword.
This unsentimental presentation of the king reflects his personality. It also reflects his relationship with the park. The recent transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy influenced this. Denmark adopted the Constitution in 1849. The Frederik den Sjette Statue is one of Bissen’s best works.
J.N. Madvig wrote the inscriptions on the plinth. The front inscription reads “Frederik den Sjette / født 28. januar 1768 / død 3. december 1839”. This tells us Frederik VI was born on January 28, 1768, and died on December 3, 1839.
The rear inscription reads “Dette minde rejstes 1858”. This says the memorial was erected in 1858. The left-hand side inscription reads “Her følte han sig lykkelig i sit trofaste folks midte”. This means “Here he felt happy in the midst of his faithful people”. The right-hand side inscription reads “Han styrede riget som kronprins og som konge i henved 56 år”. This means “He ruled the kingdom as crown prince and as king for about 56 years”.
Frederick VI died on December 3, 1839. Preparations for a monument to honor him had already started. C.F. Wilckens and Just Mathias Thiele said Bertel Thorvaldsen began work on a monument on his own. It showed the king on his throne wearing his coronation gown. The location was to be in Rosenborg Castle Gardens.
Thiele proposed an equestrian statue at Esplanaden. Thorvaldsen ignored this. He continued work on his Rosenborg proposal. Christian VIII did not like Thorvaldsen’s proposal. A committee headed by Jonas Collin was set up instead.
A memorial concert in the Church of Our Lady raised money for the monument. Nothing happened for several years. The committee was revived in 1848. An anonymous letter to the editor in a newspaper brought the project back. The money from the concert with interest reached 2,321 Danish rigsdaler and 90 skilling.
Thorvaldsen died in 1844. Herman Wilhelm Bissen was assigned to design the monument. The final commission was not made until November 1855. Bissen presented his final design in 1857. The committee was enthusiastic. A decision on where to place the Frederik den Sjette Statue had not been made.
Jonas Collin wanted it in front of Thorvaldsens Museum. Other proposals included Rosenborg Castle Gardens, Esplanaden and Christiansborg Slotsplads. Bissen wanted it at the entrance to Frederiksberg Park. He convinced the committee this was the right location.
Finally, on September 10, 1858, they unveiled the Frederik den Sjette Statue. Frederick VII was present. The statue even appeared on the 1932 Royal Copenhagen Christmas plate. Oluf Jensen designed the plate. So, the next time you visit, remember the story behind Frederik den Sjette Statue.