Bertha Nancy Brandstrup, née Hirschsprung. The Artist's First Wife 1895

Ludvig Brandstrup created this bronze bust of Bertha Nancy Brandstrup, née Hirschsprung, his first wife, in Denmark sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The sculpture reminds us of the role portraiture played in solidifying social status. Looking at the artist, Brandstrup, we see a sculptor trained within the Danish Royal Academy, an institution that reflected the social values of the time. His wife, the sitter, was born into the Hirschsprung family, known for their prominent role in the tobacco industry and their important collection of Danish art. The bust, therefore, acts as a cultural artifact, bringing together the realms of artistic production, industry, and collecting. This was a period when art served to reinforce social hierarchies, yet, in its intimate portrayal, the bust also hints at the shifting dynamics within personal relationships. To fully understand this artwork, we need to delve into the archives of the Royal Academy, explore the Hirschsprung family's history, and consider the changing role of women in Danish society at the turn of the century.