Page 48 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

46  INTRODUCING SWEDEN

The Era of Gustav III

Gustav III (r. 1771–92) is one of the most colourful figures in
Swedish history. The king’s great interest in art, literature
and the theatre made the late 18th century a golden age for
Swedish culture, and several academies were founded at
this time. After a bloodless revolution in 1772, Gustav III
ruled with absolute power and initiated a wide-ranging The Swedish Academy
programme of reform. But his attacks on the privileges of The academy was founded by
Gustav III in 1786 to preserve the
the nobility and his adventurous and costly foreign policy Swedish language. Members
made him powerful enemies. In 1792 he was murdered received a token depicting the
during a masked ball at Stockholm’s Opera House. king’s head at every meeting.

A courtier entertains
by reading aloud.

Gustav III’s Coronation 1772
The coronation of the all-powerful monarch in
Stockholm’s cathedral was a magnificent
ceremony, portrayed here by C G Pilo (1782). Every
detail was overseen by Gustav himself, who used
his flair for the dramatic in politics as well.

Gustav III studies
architectural designs.

Court Life at Drottningholm
Hilleström’s painting (1779) gives an insight into
court life at Drottningholm, where the king
resided between June and November. In what is
now the Blue Salon, Gustav III and Queen Sofia
Magdalena socialized with their inner circle.
Behaviour was modelled on the French court
and etiquette was even stricter at Drottningholm
than at Versailles.

Life in the Inns
The Battle of Svensksund Stockholm abounded
Gustav III was not known as a successful with inns, frequently
warrior king, but in 1790 he led the Swedish visited by the city’s
fleet to its greatest victory ever, when it 70,000 inhabitants. J T
defeated Russia in a major maritime battle Sergel’s sketch shows a
in the Gulf of Finland. convivial dinner party.

046-047_EW_Sweden.indd 46 11/07/16 11:48 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 22nd October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm