Kobberstikkeren Carl Edvard Sonne 1860

This is a sculpture of Carl Edvard Sonne by H.W. Bissen, at the SMK. Note Sonne's composed expression, and the bust format itself. Busts carry a rich lineage, echoing the Roman tradition of preserving likenesses of prominent figures. These sculptures served as potent symbols of status and remembrance. Sonne's tranquil expression evokes a sense of calm authority, linking him to the classical ideal of the composed leader. Consider the evolution of portraiture, from ancient sculpted heads to today's photographic images. Each era uses available technologies and materials to capture and immortalize individuals. The desire to preserve likenesses, and perhaps to transcend mortality, is a recurring theme in the human experience. The persistent allure of the bust form shows its lasting psychological impact, and how these symbols are not linear but cyclical, reappearing throughout art history with shifting meanings and cultural contexts.