Frederik V on Horseback. Sketch for Equestrian Statue in Amalienborg Palace Square by Jacques François Joseph Saly

Frederik V on Horseback. Sketch for Equestrian Statue in Amalienborg Palace Square 1758

stone

sculpture

sculptural image

black and white theme

unrealistic statue

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black colour

black and white

repetition of black colour

statue

This marble sculpture, "Frederik V on Horseback", was created by Jacques François Joseph Saly in 1758. It is a sketch for a larger equestrian statue that was intended for Amalienborg Palace Square. The piece depicts Frederik V, King of Denmark and Norway from 1746 to 1766, in a classical style, riding a horse in a dynamic pose. This piece is currently located at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst and is considered to be an important example of Danish sculpture from the 18th century.

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statensmuseumforkunst about 1 year ago

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For centuries the horse was an essential foundation for the worldly power of kings and princes. Its importance in war and peace - as a weapon and as a means of transport and communication – made it a strong symbol of might and glory. It would take more than 15 years from start to finish before Frederik V had his own splendid equestrian statue in the square of Amalienborg Palace. It shows the king as a keeper of peace and a father to his people rather than as a general. He controls the powerful creature with gentleness. The mount itself is an idealised version of the Danish Frederiksborg horse, which was bred intensively in the 19th century but later became extinct. The artist Saly was already established in France when he went to Denmark in 1753. Smaller studies were used to plan the large, complex task of constructing the statue, which ended up costing half a million Danish thaler. Enough to build ten mansions at Amalienborg Square!