Kong Christian IX 1897

This is a marble sculpture of Kong Christian IX by Vilhelm Bissen, housed at the SMK in Denmark. Bissen, working in the 19th century, was part of a generation grappling with questions of national identity. As Denmark navigated political shifts, the monarchy became a focal point for national pride. Bissen’s sculpture is more than a portrait; it's a carefully constructed image of power and authority. Consider the King’s gaze, his stern mustache, and the array of medals adorning his chest. These are symbols of leadership, designed to inspire respect. But who is this image really for? How does it contribute to the narrative of Danish identity? What does it mean to see a man, rather than a woman, immortalized in this way? The sculpture invites us to consider the ways in which power is visually constructed and maintained and how identity is bound into art.