Equestrian statue of Christian V, Bronze equestrian statue in Kongens Nytorv, Denmark
The equestrian statue of Christian V stands at the center of Kongens Nytorv, depicting the king mounted on horseback dressed as a Roman imperator wearing a laurel-crowned helmet. Bronze figures representing allegorical virtues surround the base and create the visual focus of this major square.
The French sculptor Abraham César Lamoureux created the statue in 1688 using gilded lead, which was later recast in bronze between 1939 and 1942. This transformation preserved the monument for future generations and changed its original material composition.
Four allegorical figures surround the base representing wisdom and courage through Minerva and Alexander the Great, while Hercules and Artemisia express strength and honor. These symbolic companions help visitors understand what the monument celebrates when they walk around it.
The monument sits in a central plaza accessible from multiple directions, making it a natural meeting point when exploring the area. The open space provides clear views of all the details from various angles and distances.
Beneath the horse's hooves sits a figure representing envy that originally served as structural support for the original lead construction. This hidden symbolism ties together practical engineering with deeper allegorical meaning.
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