Grev F.M. Knuth-Knuthenborg 1855

This bust of Grev F.M. Knuth-Knuthenborg was made by H.W. Bissen out of plaster. Plaster is a humble material compared to the marble that was typically used for portrait busts. It is also much less expensive, allowing for wider distribution of the image. Bissen’s choice of plaster democratized the art of portraiture, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond the elite circles traditionally associated with fine art. Look closely and you can see how the softness of plaster allowed Bissen to capture the subtle nuances of Grev's features. The texture of the plaster gives the bust a tactile quality. By focusing on the material and its social context, we can appreciate how this work challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, revealing the complex relationship between art, labor, and society.