Frederik VII 1851

Here is a seventy-centimeter-high bust of Frederik VII made by H.W. Bissen. Bissen's Frederik VII, which shows the King adorned with classical drapery, was created during a period of significant social and political change in Denmark. As the last king of the Oldenburg dynasty and the last absolute monarch, Frederik VII played a crucial role in the transition to a constitutional monarchy, signing the June Constitution of 1849. Consider how Bissen's artistic choices may reflect the complex identity of a monarch caught between tradition and modernity. Does the bust capture the weight of responsibility borne by Frederik VII during a pivotal moment in Danish history, or does it gloss over the complexities of his reign? How does it feel to consider the legacy of colonialism and social inequality that persisted despite democratic reforms? In reflecting on this bust, we can consider how power is represented and how historical narratives are constructed.