Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

THE HIST OR Y OF ST OCKHOLM  25

Murder at the Masked Ball
In 1792 Gustav III fell victim to a conspiracy
at the Opera House. He was surrounded
by masked men and shot by Captain
Anckarström on the crowded stage. He
died of his wounds 14 days later.

Gustav III’s Mask and Cocked Hat
Despite his mask, Gustav III was easy to recognize at the
Opera House since he was wearing the badges of two
orders of chivalry. The drama intrigued the whole of
Europe and inspired Verdi’s opera Un Ballo in Maschera.

Flogging of the King’s Murderer
Among the conspirators, only Anckarström was
condemned to death. Before he was taken to his
execution in Södermalm, he was flogged on three
successive days on the square in front of Riddarhuset.

Queen Sofia
Magdalena does
her needlework.
Bust of Catherine the Great
of Russia, the king’s cousin
Gustavian Style
The mid-18th century saw the emergence of Neo-Classicism,
with the focus on antiquities and Greek and Roman ideals.
Gustav III embraced this trend with
great enthusiasm and supported the
country’s talented artists and authors.
He established his own Museum of
Antiquities (see pp52–3) with marble
sculptures that he brought home from
Italy. In handicrafts, the sweeping lines
of Rococo elegance were replaced by
the stricter forms of what has become Swedish Court Costume
known as Gustavian Style. Rooms at In 1778 Gustav III introduced a
the Royal Palace were renovated with costume based on French lines to
Chair designed in the decoration and furnishings adapted restrain fashion excesses. This is the
Gustavian Style to suit this style. male court costume for daily wear.

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