Children & Family Activities
Ages 8+
Welcome to my home!
My name is Valdemar Christian and I was born 400 years ago in 1622.
I am a prince and my father, King Christian IV, built this palace for me – that is why it is called Valdemars Slot. I never had the chance to live here as I died young, battling in one of Denmark’s many wars against the Swedes.
Come with me and I will tell you some stories about the palace and show you the artworks that we have here – some very old, and some new.
Along the way, we will play some games together with your group.
Are you ready?
Let’s begin.
The Entrance Hall
The chairs and benches that you can see here are actually sculptures by Czech-German artist Jiří Georg Dokoupil called Furniture for Fotos.
The artist wants you – his audience – to be part of the artwork. Help him bring these works to life and take a seat, and a photo!
Tip: Make sure that only the front of the artwork is visible (not the sides or top).
See, it looks like you're in a cartoon!
Niels Juel
Find the painting in the entrance hall that shows Admiral Niels Juel in his finest clothes and feathered hat. This famous Danish naval hero was born almost 400 years ago. He is remembered as an incredible naval tactician and for his victory at the Battle of Køge Bay in 1677.
At the battle, Juel’s fleet sank twenty Swedish ships, without losing any of their own! My father, King Christian IV, rewarded the Admiral with the gift of Valdemars Slot.
What colours can you see in this painting? What do you think they symbolise or tell you about Niels Juel?
What can you see hanging from the chain around the Admiral’s neck?
This pendant symbolises the Order of the Elephant – Denmark’s highest honour. 600 years since it began, the Order is still awarded to members of the royal family and for important contributions to Danish society.
If you were to invent an honour to celebrate excellence in the country where you live, what would it be called, what symbol would you use, and why?
Where is King Christian IV?
This room contains paintings of Denmark’s kings – all painted over 300 years ago. Can you identify which of these figures is my father, King Christian IV?
Is his horse white?
No
Is the horse rearing?
No
Is he wearing a ruff around his neck?
Yes
My father is on the left, surrounded by courtiers dressed in red. Did you find him?
Fun Facts: King Christian IV
– King Christian IV holds the record for the longest reign of any monarch in Scandinavian history and is remembered as one of Denmark’s most popular and ambitious kings.
– He built some of the most important historical buildings in Denmark, including Frederiksborg Castle, the Old Stock Exchange (Børsen) and the Round Tower (Rundetarn) in Copenhagen.
– He had no less than 24 children with two wives and three mistresses!
– After a fire at Kronborg Castle, he repurposed a bastion meant for defence into a brewery to quench the thirst of his soldiers with beer.
The Garden Room
In this room you can see some of the people who once lived in the palace. They are all family of naval hero Niels Juel, and also of Valdemars Slot’s owner today – the Admiral’s eleventh great-granddaughter, Louise Iuel-Brockdorff Albinus.
Look at the portrait above the fireplace, which shows nineteen-year-old Anne Margrethe Juel. When Danish writer H.C. Andersen (best remembered for his fairy tales like The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and Thumbelina) saw this portrait, he wrote in a letter that she was the first woman to “capture his heart”.
The paintings in this room were made in the eighteenth century by two famous artists – Carl Gustaf Pilo, and Jens Juel. Pilo was a huge influence on the younger painter, but Juel gradually developed his own, fashionable style.
Look at the labels to see who painted each portrait. What similarities and differences can you find in how the two artists paint their subjects?
Tip: Pay attention to what is in the background of each painting. How much of the person we can see? How does the painting make you feel about the person shown?
The Verdure Tapestries
These tapestries were woven over 300 years ago in an area of Belgium known as Flanders – an important centre for the craft at that time.
This kind of tapestry – featuring beautiful gardens, birds and plants – is known as ‘verdure’, and was very popular at the time.
How many different birds can you find in the tapestries?
Imagine who might live in this beautiful landscape. Who do you think they might be and what would they be doing?
The Chapel
There are lots of images in the chapel – some of them have a religious meaning, and some reference the palace’s history. What pictures can you find on the chapel ceiling?
There is often a model ship in Danish churches. What do you think the ship symbolises? How might it relate to the purpose of a church?
Clue: Ships are built to carry travellers safely through bad weather
In the chapel are two specially made Soap-Bubble paintings by Dokoupil, similar to those that you have already seen in the exhibition spaces. What do you think the bubbles symbolise?
Clue: Bubbles are made using breath
There is a crest just below you on the balcony (don’t lean out too far!), which you can see in this picture of Louise, Valdemars Slot’s current owner. It is Louise’s family crest and it features two double-headed eagles and two griffins – a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle.
What images would you choose for your own crest?
What do the bubbles make you think of?
Dokoupil’s bubble paintings and sculptures suggest not only water bubbles, but microscopic organisms, undersea creates, and even the cosmos.
What do they remind you of? Discuss with your group.
Animal, vegetable, or mineral
The Ballroom
In this grand room there are three huge portraits, which have hung in this spot since 1751! King Frederik V is in the middle and his two wives, Louise and Juliane Marie, on either side.
Look the king in the eyes and walk across the room. No matter where you stand, he always appears to be looking at you!
