Bendix Grodtschilling, also Bendix Grodtschilling the Elder, (c. 1620 – March 1690) was a Danish painter and carpenter.

Early life

Grodtschilling was born in Holstein (probably in Itzehoe), where he worked in his capacity as a skilled carpenter. After a number of years of residing in Itzehoe and Hamburg, in 1660 he was summoned to Denmark and taken into the king's service.

Throne Chair of Denmark

In 1662 he was commissioned by

Frederick III of Denmark Frederick III ( da, Frederik; 18 March 1609 – 9 February 1670) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1648 until his death in 1670. He also governed under the name Frederick II as diocesan administrator (colloquially referred to as prince-bi ...

for a most important project: the creation of the Throne Chair of Denmark.The Danish Royal Collections
Coronation chair, King
/ref> It took nine years, and he produced it using agate and the ivory of

narwhal The narwhal, also known as a narwhale (''Monodon monoceros''), is a medium-sized toothed whale that possesses a large "tusk" from a protruding canine tooth. It lives year-round in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada and Russia. It is o ...

tusks. The throne is guarded by three

lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphi ...

s of silver. The Throne Chair is located in the Castle of Rosenborg in Copenhagen. It is a central symbol of the absolute monarchy in Denmark and Norway. As the royal art collection in 1680 was preparing to be transferred from Copenhagen Castle to its new building the

Christiansborg Palace Christiansborg Palace ( da, Christiansborg Slot; ) is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament ('), the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme ...

, Grodtschilling was appointed by Christian V of Denmark as the chief art administrator.

Family

Grodtschilling was twice married; he married his second wife Catherine in August 1678. From his first wife he had a son Bendix Grodtschilling the Younger, and a grandson Bendix Grodtschilling the Youngest, both of whom became painters. Grodtschilling died in Copenhagen and is buried in Trinitatis Church.

References

Bendix Grodtschilling of Art Index Denmark / Weilbachs Artist Encyclopedia
* ''This article is based mainly on Biography (s) of FJ Meier in the 1st edition of the Danish Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 6, page 203, Published by CF Washer, Penguin (1887-1905). '' {{DEFAULTSORT:Lode, Odvardt Helmoldt von 1620 births 1690 deaths 17th-century Danish painters Danish male painters People from Itzehoe