Martin Hammerich 1860

This is H.W. Bissen's marble bust of Martin Hammerich, created in the 19th century. Bissen, deeply rooted in the neoclassical tradition, was celebrated for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Hammerich, as a figure of the bourgeois class, lived in a time where identity and status were carefully constructed and performed. His gaze and poised demeanor, immortalized in marble, reflect the values of 19th-century Danish society. Yet, if we think about who gets remembered in the historical record through portraiture like this, what stories get told, and what stories get left out? As you consider Hammerich's likeness, consider the power and privilege inherent in being a subject worthy of such artistic attention. How does this sculpture reflect, or perhaps obscure, the complexities of identity during this period?