The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgHerman Wilhelm Bissen

Herman Wilhelm Bissen

Herman Wilhelm Bissen was a Danish sculptor. Amongst his most famous works are the statue of Adam Oehlenschläger (1854-61) in front of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, the Isted Lion, erected in Flensburg in 1862, and the equestrian statue of Frederik VII in front of Christiansborg Castle.

H.V. Bissen hailed from Schleswig and was trained as painter and sculptor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen 1816-23. In 1824 he travelled to Rome where he lived for the following ten years and worked under the guidance of Bertel Thorvaldsen. The influence from Thorvaldsen was expressed in works such as Paris and the Apple (1831-40, the Glyptotek) and the relief The Ceres and Bacchus Frieze (1835-41) at Christiansborg. The latter was destroyed during the fire of 1884.

H.V. Bissen became Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in 1840 and was its Director in 1850-3. Additionally, he had a large studio with several assistants and young sculptors. One of those was his son Vilhelm Bissen, who took over the studio after the death of his father.

 

 

 

Relations

Bust of Queen Lovisa, 1894

Marble bust of Queen Lovisa, made by Vilhelm Bissen in 1894 as a wedding present to Frederik VIII.

1825-1850

The years towards the middle of the 19th century became increasingly marked by the national conflict between the Danes and Germans in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. It culminated in the Three Years' War, or the First Schleswig War in 1848-51.

1850-1875

The social and political revolts in Europe in 1848 had ushered in new times for European states, and for Denmark too. But even though the absolute monarchy was abolished with the Constitution of 1849, the monarchy was far from disengaged from power.

1775-1800

The time of peace lasted to the end of the century, and neutral Denmark continued to enjoy an economic upturn. At the same time a Danish nationalist tendency made its mark.

1800-1825

At the beginning of the 19th century, the long peaceful period ended. International relations in connection with the Napoleonic Wars made it difficult for Denmark to stay neutral.