The Sculptor Hermann Ernst Freund 1841

Editor: Here we have a bust of *The Sculptor Hermann Ernst Freund*, created in 1841 by H.W. Bissen. The cool smoothness of the marble gives it a striking sense of timelessness, but also, somehow, a bit of vulnerability, what do you think? What stands out to you when you look at this piece? Curator: Vulnerability, yes! It’s as if Bissen chipped away at the marble not just to reveal Freund's likeness, but a glimpse of his inner self. Note the intensity in the eyes, that classical realism hinting at the Romantic soul simmering beneath. Almost a Byronic hero chiseled in stone! And isn't it ironic? A sculptor immortalized by another. I wonder if Freund ever felt self-conscious posing for this? Editor: I hadn't considered that! The sculptor being sculpted. It makes me think about how artists see each other. Do you see any of that relationship reflected in the artwork? Curator: Absolutely! Bissen's skill is on display, but there’s also a palpable respect, a brotherhood. He renders Freund not as some distant, godlike figure as Neoclassicism often does, but as a contemporary, an equal. The slight asymmetry of the mouth, the way the hair almost seems windswept – these touches bring humanity to the cold marble. I bet they had some *spirited* discussions over Schnapps while creating this, and they put it right into the piece! Editor: It's amazing how much character Bissen was able to convey! Curator: Indeed. It’s more than just a portrait; it’s a quiet conversation between two artists, frozen in time. And it still manages to have its say today, if we're only willing to listen. Editor: I’m starting to hear it! Thank you!