Frederik III's Kunstkammer The Royal Danish Kunstkammer was established around 1650 by Frederik III (reigned 1648-1670). This was at a time when collecting had become the fashion among the princely rulers of Europe, and Frederik had no doubt been inspired during the time he spent abroad, and by visiting his ducal cousin at Gottorp Castle. Frederik was educated at the Academy for young noblemen at Sorø, where he probably acquired an interest in theology, history and the sciences. Read more about the background. In the Kunstkammer there were stuffed animals, conches and other shells, together with various natural history specimens. There were valuable artefacts from all over the world in gold, silver and ivory, weapons, paintings, mechanical inventions and models of building projects and ships. Read more about the collection on Copenhagen Castle. We know a little about how Frederik acquired items for his Kunstkammer - some were bought, while others were gifts from princely heads of state and ambassadors. The contents of the Kunstkammer were recorded in the so-called inventories. The earliest of these is from 1674. Read more about the 1674-inventory. Frederik III employed a number of persons to arrange and take care of the collection. Those with the most responsibility were the 'inspektør' (curator) or 'overinspektør' (superintendent) and a lower-ranking 'opvarter' (attendant) or 'forvalter' (keeper). Copenhagen from the south-east. Detail of perspective view from 1611. Engraving of Jan Dirksen van Campen after the now lost painting of Jan van Wijck. (National Museum)