Lensgreve C.E. Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs 1863

This is a bronze bust of Lensgreve C.E. Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs, created by H.W. Bissen, and currently housed at the SMK in Denmark. The bust form evokes classical antiquity, a common practice in 19th-century portraiture, particularly for those of high social standing. This style emphasizes the subject's perceived wisdom, virtue, and connection to a noble past. Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs was a prominent Danish politician and landowner during a period of significant social and political change in Denmark. The production of portrait busts like this one reflects the values of the Danish aristocracy and their desire to maintain a visual legacy. The choice of bronze, a durable and expensive material, further underscores the subject's status and the artwork's intent to endure as a historical record. To truly understand this work, one would need to delve into archives documenting Danish social history, exploring the role of the aristocracy, the development of political institutions, and the patronage of the arts. These contextual layers reveal the complex interplay between art, power, and societal values.