The children of King Christian II of Denmark, Norway and Sweden 1526

The Children of King Christian II of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden is a portrait painting by the Flemish artist Jan Gossaert, better known as Mabuse. Painted in 1526, the work depicts the king’s three children: Christian, Dorothea, and a younger son. The children, dressed in rich attire, appear to be playing with fruit on a table, creating a sense of innocence amidst the political turmoil of the era. The painting’s realistic details and masterful composition are hallmarks of Mabuse’s Northern Renaissance style, which blended meticulous observation with a refined sense of beauty. The work is a powerful reminder of the human cost of political power struggles, even in the midst of seemingly idyllic scenes.