Teolog og politiker, professor H.N. Clausen 1858

This is H.W. Bissen's portrait bust of the theologian and politician H.N. Clausen. Looking at this bust, it's easy to think about the role of the academy and the church in shaping the political life of 19th century Denmark. Clausen was a professor of theology and a significant public intellectual, and images like this one helped construct the idea of a political class. Note how Bissen’s classical style, reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, lends Clausen an air of authority. What does it mean to represent a modern politician in the style of antiquity? It speaks to the way 19th century European culture looked to the past in order to legitimize the present. Understanding the social context of art means exploring archives, libraries, and other historical resources. This is the work of historians. It reminds us that art always participates in social life.