Maleren Jørgen Sonne 1858

H.W. Bissen crafted this bronze bust of the painter Jørgen Sonne, its height a little under sixty centimeters. The bust's sober naturalism, typical of its time, evokes the Roman tradition of portraiture. Notice the bare head, the individualized features, and the solemn expression. These elements are a revival of classical ideals, harking back to the Roman concept of "veritas," or truth, in portraiture. This principle sought to capture not only the likeness but also the character of the individual, and to represent the sitter as an austere, wise figure. The tradition of the sculpted bust, prevalent throughout antiquity and the Renaissance, carries connotations of power and remembrance. It's as if Sonne is a hero, like a Roman emperor whose likeness was designed to preserve his memory. This echoes the enduring human need to immortalize ourselves. The bust, therefore, becomes more than just a portrait; it is a vessel of cultural memory, bridging past and present. The act of gazing upon Sonne’s bust engages our collective unconscious, stirring a primal desire to transcend mortality through art.