But the equestrian statue of King Frederik V is there as well. And yes - it is something quite special. The statue is the focal point of the entire octagonal palace square, and cost more than the four royal palaces together!
Heavenly staging
The plinth shoots out of the ground and lifts the monarch into the sky. If you are standing on the ground and look up, the statue clearly stands out on the shining background. The sky emphasises the horse's beauty and graceful movements. It is in full control of its forceful muscle mass.
The royal rider on the horse is not wearing a conventional costume of the year 1760. Frederik V is in fact dressed (up) in the attire of an ancient Roman military commander. Including the laurels of the victor. The King is pulled out of everyday life and placed in an entirely different era. He is staged like a hero from ancient Rome. As an immovable ideal - in all senses of the word, since the statue weighs 22 tonnes.
The King rides towards the Marble Church (Frederik Church) which is situated in front of the palace square. What is he going to do there? Confess his faith and blatantly underline his own immortality, of course!
On a mission from France
The equestrian statue was created by the French sculptor J.F. J. Saly. He was brought to Denmark with the particular mission of immortalising the popular king on horseback. With his own eyes, Saly saw the King riding around town on his daily rides. He wrote somewhere that, with his statue, he dreamed of capturing "the happy mixture of majesty and mildness". He has succeeded with that cocktail. And he has captured much more than that.
Saly has created the ultimate representation of an absolute monarch. His magnificent specimen of an equestrian statue is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. So don't forget to look up and enjoy the sight next time you pass Amalienborg Palace.
Trine Moeller Madsen is a writer on art and cultural affairs and an author. Among her works is "KUNST" ("Art") (Gyldendal, 2004), a textbook on image analysis for the oldest students in the Danish Folkeskole.
Frederiks V's equestrien statue, finished 1771. Amalienborg Palace Square. Bronze, height 5,23 m without base
Photo: Pernille Klemp