thumb|left|Nightmare (1800) after Henry Fuseli's The Nightmare (1781). The fire at Christiansborg Palace, in February 1794, also had a dampening effect on his career, for seven of the ten monumental paintings of the grandiose project were destroyed in that accident. The project was stopped and so were his earnings. However, after that devastating fire accident, he started getting decorative assignments and also got the opportunity to practice as an architect. He decorated the Levetzau Palace (now known as Christian VIII's Palace) at Amalienborg (1794–1798), recently occupied home of King Christian VII of Denmark's half-brother Frederik. His protégé Bertel Thorvaldsen headed the sculptural efforts. He also planned for rebuilding the Christiansborg Palace, but he could not get the assignment.
thumb|left|nightmare (1800) after henry fuseli's the nightmare (1781) the fire at christiansborg palace in february 1794 also had a dampening effect on his career for seven of the ten monumental paintings of the grandiose project were destroyed in that accident the project was stopped and so were his earnings however after that devastating fire accident he started getting decorative assignments and also got the opportunity to practice as an architect he decorated the levetzau palace (now known as christian viii's palace) at amalienborg (1794–1798) recently occupied home of king christian vii of denmark's half-brother frederik his protégé bertel thorvaldsen headed the sculptural efforts he also planned for rebuilding the christiansborg palace but he could not get the assignment