Den danske landsoldat efter sejren 1850

H.W. Bissen sculpted "The Danish soldier after the victory" out of terracotta. It captures the spirit of national pride and the narratives of heroism prevalent at the time. Bissen, deeply rooted in the artistic and cultural climate of 19th-century Denmark, presents the soldier as a triumphant figure, his stance confident, and his gaze directed towards a promising future. But let's consider the narratives that might be absent here. Who gets remembered as a hero, and who is left out of the story? Whose voices are not represented? While seemingly a celebration of national identity and military achievement, the statue invites us to think about the complexities of such representations. What emotional and psychological burdens do soldiers carry, and how are these overshadowed by the glorification of victory? This sculpture urges us to reflect on the stories we tell about conflict, and whose perspectives we choose to honor.