Even as a child Christian had shown signs of being sensitive, witty and perceptive, but also unstable and temperamental. However, his positive character traits were beaten out of him at an early age by the dogmatic and authoritarian tutor Reventlow. Later on, Christian had a more understanding tutor in the enlightened scholar Reverdil, who introduced him to the ideas of Voltaire.
The fact that Christian was so easily influenced led to uncertainty at court and made it almost impossible to conduct the business of politics in a steady and reliable way: someone who was in favour one day might well be dismissed the next. After all, the king was still the absolute ruler, however fragile his mental state might be.
Johann Martin Bernigeroth
Copperplate engraving, 1755
Bomann Museum Celle
BGR00660
As a child Christian was bright and imaginative and loved the theatre. He was completely unprepared for his role as king and spent his life trying to escape it.
Jens Juel
Oil on canvas, 1789
Reproduction
The Royal Danish Collection
The official paintings of the king in his coronation robes were meant to convey an image of continuously legitimised royal power. In fact, however, by the time this portrait was painted, Christian was already suffering from severe mental illness, and his son was ruling in his stead as prince regent.
Carl Christian Frederik Thomsen
Pen drawing, second half of the 19th century
Bomann Museum Celle
BGR00765
This drawing, produced after Christian’s reign, alludes to his nocturnal forays with Conrad Holck, one of his favourites. The young king used to hang around the streets of Copenhagen and had a relationship with the prostitute Anne Cathrine Benthagen, otherwise known as Støvlet-Cathrine (“Boots-Catherine”).