Et ungt ægtepar. Kronprins Frederik (Frederik V) spiser på Charlottenborg kirsebær med Kronprinsesse Louise 1865

Wilhelm Marstrand made this ink drawing of Crown Prince Frederik V and Crown Princess Louise, possibly in the 1860s. It depicts a moment of intimate exchange, the royal couple sharing cherries near a window in Charlottenborg Palace, Copenhagen. The image offers a glimpse into the private lives of the Danish monarchy, but it is important to consider its public implications. Marstrand worked during a time of rising national consciousness and the consolidation of royal power after the Napoleonic Wars. His charming depiction of the royal couple would have served to humanize them and make them more relatable to the public, strengthening the monarchy’s image. Moreover, the decision to set the scene in Charlottenborg, the home of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, subtly aligns the monarchy with cultural and artistic pursuits. To fully understand this drawing, we must consult historical records, royal biographies, and art criticism of the period, examining the relationship between the monarchy, the arts, and the Danish public at this pivotal moment in history.