Biskop D.G. Monrad 1856

This is a bronze bust of D.G. Monrad, made by H.W. Bissen, a prominent Danish sculptor, in the 19th century. Monrad was a significant figure in Danish history, serving as a bishop and briefly as Prime Minister during a turbulent period. Bissen, deeply rooted in the classical tradition, here elevates Monrad to near-Roman gravitas, and the piece reflects the cultural values of 19th-century Denmark, where national identity and historical consciousness were being formed. The bust is not simply a portrait, but a statement about leadership and national character. Analyzing this work requires understanding the political and religious context of Denmark in the mid-1800s. Accessing archives, newspapers, and political pamphlets of the time help in understanding the role Monrad played in shaping Denmark’s destiny and why Bissen portrayed him in this powerful, classical manner.