Departementschef C.F. Holm 1867

This is a plaster bust of Departementschef C.F. Holm, created by H.W. Bissen, a Danish sculptor. While undated, it likely hails from the mid-19th century. The bust is a product of its time, reflecting the values of bourgeois society. Portraiture became increasingly popular as a way for individuals to assert their status and project an image of respectability. Bissen, a leading sculptor in Denmark, would have been keenly aware of these social dynamics and the expectations of his patrons. The neo-classical style chosen by Bissen, evokes a sense of dignity, sobriety, and timelessness. It deliberately presents C.F. Holm as an upstanding man, a pillar of society. To fully understand the historical importance of such a work, we might consult genealogical records, social registers, and institutional archives. Only then can we decipher the social codes embedded within the art object itself.