Digteren Henrik Hertz 1866

This is a bronze bust of the poet Henrik Hertz, created by H.W. Bissen in Denmark. Although the sculpture’s date is unknown, both men were central figures in Denmark’s Golden Age in the first half of the 19th century. Examining this bust, we might consider the role of art as a cultural record and how institutions like the SMK shape our understanding of artistic production. Bissen, a leading sculptor, was trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and later became its director. His work often reflected the national-romantic ideals of the time, seeking to define and celebrate Danish identity. This bust commemorates Hertz, a Jewish poet and playwright whose work was popular and influential. Understanding the social and institutional contexts of artworks like this involves delving into the archives of the Royal Danish Academy or examining publications that promoted national identity through the arts. These resources help us appreciate how art not only reflects, but actively shapes, cultural values.