Benoît Le Coffre (1671–1722)

• Was a Danish painter of French descent.
• Benoît Le Coffre was born in Copenhagen in 1671 to Claude Le Coffre who was also a painter as well as a sculptor.
• Benoît was sent to Paris where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts.
• He won the Prix de Rome in 1692.
• In Denmark in 1700 he became Frederick IV's Court Painter alongside Hendrick Krock, the king's other Court Painter.
• His work includes portraits as well as many decorative works for the many royal residences.
• At Frederiksberg Palace, he painted 12 frescos featuring both scenes from antique mythology and swarming royal masquerade balls with musicians and masked participants.
• Other buildings with decorative works by him include Rosenborg Castle, the Eremitage Lodge and the Chancellery building in Copenhagen.

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