In Equestrian statue of Christian V, how is the Description discussed?
With direct inspiration from the equestrian statue of Louis XIII at the centre of Place des Vosges, it depicts the king dressed like a Roman imperator with a Laurel wreathed helmet.
The plinth is surrounded by four allegorical statues. Facing Charlottenborg Palace stand two figures of Minerva and Herkules, representing prudence and strength, while the opposite side features statues of Alexander the Great and Artemisia, personifications of fortitude and honour.
Even though Lamoureux depicted the horse in a trot-like gait, with inspiration from Marcus Aurelius' horse at the Capitoline Hill, the design caused severe problems due to the soft metal used for the casting. The construction therefore had to be strengthened, and Lamoureux introduced a figure of a naked man crouched underneath the horse's hoof, personifying envy but in the same time affording support for the horse's barrel as the weakest point of the statue.
Minerva Capitoline Hill Laurel wreath gait prudence Alexander the Great Place des Vosges trot equestrian statue strength Artemisia helmet envy honour Herkules fortitude Marcus Aurelius Roman imperator allegorical statues plinth Louis XIII