Emilie Hedevig Bissen, f. Møller (1808-50). Kunstnerens moder, siddende på en skammel 1896

Vilhelm Bissen made this marble sculpture of his mother sometime in the mid to late nineteenth century. It’s a portrait, but also an insight into the social conventions of the time. Portraits were often commissioned by the sitter, or their family, as a symbol of status and respectability. This sculpture performs a similar function, yet it does so in a way that reflects the changing role of art and the artist in nineteenth-century Denmark. Bissen’s mother is not depicted in finery, but in simple clothing. Look closer, and you will notice bare feet, something quite unusual for a formal portrait at this time. This naturalistic style reflects a broader trend in European art, away from Neoclassical idealism and towards Realism. To understand this work fully, we need to consider the social and artistic context in which it was made. What were the prevailing attitudes towards family, gender, and class in Denmark at this time? What role did institutions like the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts play in shaping artistic tastes and styles? By exploring these questions, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the social and cultural significance of this sculpture.