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All Denmark Copenhagen Folketingssalen Frieze
AO Edited

Folketingssalen Frieze

An "evil painter" included pointed symbols in this artwork to poke fun at members of the Danish Parliament.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Added By
Luis Morato
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“Not every rooster crowing announces new day.”   Peter Leth/cc by 2.0
“Not every rooster crowing announces new day.”   Peter Leth/cc by 2.0
Slug.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Urinating dog.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Rodents.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
“Whoever understands the language of the birds can scare the minister.”   Peter Leth/cc by 2.0
“When the swans are singing, the crows shall be quiet”   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
“the cat’s play is the mouse’s death”   Sojo / Atlas Obscura User
Loose translation: Everybody wants to be the leader of the pack, but nobody wants to carry the sack.   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
“God gives food to every bird, but doesn’t throw it in the nest”   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
“The law is for those awake, happiness is for those asleep”   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
“Not every cackling hen lays an egg”   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
“The joy of the battle is short”   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
Snakes.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Detail.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
View of the frieze.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This frieze was painted between 1918 and 1921 by the artist Rasmus Larsen, an expert in decorative frescoes. It covers a corridor in Christiansborg Palace, which houses Folketingssalen (the Danish Parliament).

The 879-foot (268-meter) artwork is full of flowers and other floral touches. But you’ll also notice animals and phrases that symbolize the vices of the Danish politicians and remind them that their true role is to serve the people.

These latter details were not part of the original plan—Larsen added them after deciding the flowers were too boring. His decision to include the unflattering symbols and sayings earned him the nickname of “the evil painter.”

If you follow the frieze, you can see that the more Larsen painted, the more ironic his comments became. According to local lore, his additions infuriated the then-Minister of the Interior, Ove Rode, so much that Rode withheld his salary. Because of this, the “evil painter” included the phrase “Do not pick the fruit until it is ripe. If weeds have to be eliminated, don't forget Rode" in the frieze, using a variation of “rødder” (roots) to poke fun at the politician.

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Art Politics

Know Before You Go

There are guided visits in Danish and English to the Danish Parliament, though you should book in advance. Admission is free.

Community Contributors

Added By

Luis Morato

Edited By

Johan SWE, Sojo

  • Johan SWE
  • Sojo

Published

August 12, 2019

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Sources
  • https://www.ft.dk/da/aktuelt/tema/frisen-i-vandrehallen
  • https://www.ft.dk/da/billeder_fra_christiansborg/vandrehallen/01
  • https://www.information.dk/1997/08/onde-maler-genopstaar
  • https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/danmark/her-lyder-folkets-r%C3%B8st-til-os-fra-v%C3%A6ggene
  • https://www.facebook.com/folketinget/photos/a.526701140751948/1532808110141241/?type=1&theater
Folketingssalen Frieze
Copenhagen, 1218
Denmark
55.676232, 12.580514
Visit Website

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