Constantin Hansen

Early Life and Training

Constantin Hansen (1804 – 1880) was born in Rome, Italy, the son of portrait painter Hans Hansen. The family soon relocated to Vienna, where Constanze Mozart, the widow of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, became godmother at his christening and he was named after her. Within his first year, the family moved to Copenhagen, where he was raised. He entered the architecture school of the Royal Danish Academy of Art (*Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi*) at 12 years of age, but changed his course of study to painting at the age of 21. He began his training under Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg in 1828. Following the loss of both parents due to typhus, Hansen became the sole supporter of his younger sisters and took over several commissions, including those for the portrait collection at Frederiksborg Palace and decorative paintings for Christiansborg Palace.

Artistic Career

Initially, Hansen studied architecture but later shifted his focus to painting under Eckersberg in 1828. He lost both his parents due to typhus, becoming the sole provider for his younger sisters. This circumstance propelled him into accepting numerous commissions, notably reproductions of portraits at Frederiksborg Palace and elaborate murals adorning Christiansborg Palace. Hansen’s artistic journey was marked by a profound engagement with literature and mythology, heavily influenced by art historian Niels Laurits Høyen who encouraged him to recreate a national historical painting based on Norse mythology. This ambition resulted in “The Danish Constituent Assembly,” completed between 1861 and 1865, a monumental work reflecting the artistic fervor of his time.

Travel and Inspiration

Between 1835 and 1837, Hansen embarked on a formative two-year expedition abroad, extending it by another year. His travels encompassed Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Nuremberg, and Munich before arriving in Italy, where he encountered fellow Dane Bertel Thorvaldsen. This encounter profoundly impacted his artistic sensibilities, evident in “A Group of Danish Artists in Rome,” which captures the sensual beauty characteristic of the Danish Golden Age.

Notable Works and Legacy

Hansen’s oeuvre encompasses a diverse range of genres, including portraits, mythological scenes, landscapes, and historical paintings. Among his most celebrated achievements is “The Danish Constituent Assembly,” a monumental depiction of a pivotal moment in Danish history—a testament to his ambition and artistic prowess. Furthermore, he decorated the vestibule of the University of Copenhagen with mythological figures from 1844 to 1853, demonstrating his commitment to elevating Danish art and culture. His legacy continues to resonate within the Thorvaldsens Museum, where his works stand alongside those of Bertel Thorvaldsen, cementing his place as a cornerstone of Danish artistic heritage.