Herman Wilhelm Bissen was a Danish sculptor who played an important role in the development of Danish art in the 19th century.
Bissen was born in Schleswig, which at the time was part of Denmark. He began his career as an apprentice in the workshop of the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen in Rome, where he learned the techniques of classical sculpture. In 1824, he returned to Denmark and began working on his own commissions.
Bissen's work is characterized by a strong sense of realism and attention to detail. He created numerous portraits of leading figures in Danish society, including King Frederick VI and Hans Christian Andersen. One of his most famous works is the equestrian statue of King Frederik VII in front of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Bissen was also involved in the restoration of the sculpture collections at the Glyptoteket museum in Copenhagen, where he served as director from 1838 to 1863. During this time, he also created a number of sculptures for the museum's collection.
Bissen was widely recognized for his contributions to Danish art, and he received many honors during his lifetime. He was awarded the Order of the Dannebrog in 1846 and was appointed Knight of the Order of the Elephant in 1861. He also served as a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Copenhagen.
Today, Bissen's work is still recognized as an important part of Danish cultural heritage. His sculptures can be seen in numerous public spaces throughout Denmark, as well as in collections at major museums around the world.