Created by Iva Mouritsen, this open philately exhibit tells a story that revolves around three historical personalities, whose lives were joined together in a tragic scenario full of secrets, lies, intrigues, and romance. The very sad, yet passionate and romantic story takes place during the reign of Christian VII (1749-1808), ruler of Denmark and Norway from 1766 to 1808. The story starts in 1743, when Christian’s father, King Frederik V (1723-1766) married Christian’s mother. In 1766, Christian became King and married the British Princess Caroline Matilda (1751-1775). Despite the mentally ill King’s lack of interest in his wife, the Queen bore of a son, later to become Frederik VI (1768-1839). Very soon, the third wheel in Denmark’s most famous ménage à trois appeared – the charismatic ladies’ man and skilful doctor, Johann Friedrich Struensee (1737-1772) – a man with modern ideas of enlightenment and whose influence on the King made him the de facto regent of Denmark. Had the feelings between Struensee and the young and neglected Queen not developed into love, the establishment would have had much more difficulties putting such an abrupt end to Struensee’s political career. Because of the forbidden affair, Struensee was beheaded, the Queen was exiled, and Denmark was returned to the dark ages. However, Struensee’s influence on the young Crown Prince Frederik had left lasting impressions on his mind and soul, and with him, Struensee’s ideas of enlightenment with all its reforms finally came to Denmark. The exhibit aims to tell this complete story using a combination of original documents and philatelic material.
See the full exhibition online here.