Digteren Carsten Hauch 1858

This is a bust of the poet Carsten Hauch, made by H.W. Bissen in Denmark in the mid-19th century. Bissen was one of Denmark’s most prominent sculptors, trained in the classical tradition. This sculpture provides a glimpse into the cultural values of the Danish Golden Age. The bust format itself carries associations of status and commemoration, often reserved for figures of significant cultural or political influence. Hauch was a celebrated poet and playwright, but also an academic and critic. His intellectual achievements would have appealed to the burgeoning sense of national identity in Denmark at the time. The classical style, evident in the idealized features and draped fabric, aligns Hauch with a lineage of great thinkers and artists, thereby elevating his status within Danish society. To fully appreciate the nuances of this sculpture, one might delve into archives of Danish cultural institutions. Understanding the context of its creation allows us to consider how art shapes national identity.