Loki

Umetnik

Hermann Ernst Freund

Rojen v Uthlede, Germany

Hermann Ernst Freund: Life and Legacy

Early Life and Training

Hermann Ernst Freund (1786-1840) was a German-born Danish sculptor who achieved recognition for his pioneering work in Nordic mythology and, most notably, the ambitious Ragnarok Frieze. Born near Bremen, Germany, he initially pursued training as a smith before dedicating himself to the world of art. He enrolled at the Art Academy in Copenhagen, where his talent quickly shone through, earning him all four silver and gold medals.

Roman Period and Influences

Following his graduation, Freund embarked on a decade-long sojourn in Rome (1810-1820). This period proved pivotal to his artistic development. He became the closest assistant to the renowned sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, gaining invaluable experience and refining his skills. His work during this time, such as the marble bust of Bernhard Severin Ingemann (1820), demonstrates a clear influence of Thorvaldsen’s Neoclassical style.

Embracing Nordic Mythology

Upon returning to Denmark, Freund distinguished himself as an early proponent of Romantic Nationalism. He was the first Danish sculptor to actively engage with themes from Nordic mythology, creating a series of twelve statuettes between 1822 and 1829. These included compelling representations of figures like Loki (1822), Odin (bronze, 1827), and Thor (1829). His approach skillfully blended the grandeur of ancient Greek and Roman mythological traditions with distinctly Norse subject matter.

Major Achievements and Artistic Style

Ragnarok Frieze: Freund’s magnum opus, a monumental frieze depicting the apocalyptic events of Ragnarök (the end of the world in Norse mythology). Though completed posthumously by Herman Wilhelm Bissen after his death in 1840, it represented years of dedicated work. Sadly, the original was destroyed in the Christianborg fire of 1884; however, a plaster cast remains at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Church of Our Lady Decoration: Freund prepared models for figures intended to adorn the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, though the commission ultimately went to Thorvaldsen.

Sculptural Style: Freund’s style is characterized by a harmonious blend of Neoclassical precision and Romantic emotionality. His figures possess both anatomical accuracy and a sense of dramatic narrative.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1829, Freund was appointed professor at the Academy, solidifying his position within the Danish art world. Inspired by his travels in Southern Italy, he had his official residence, Materialgaard, decorated in a Pompeiian style. He mentored several young artists including Georg Hilker, Heinrich Eddelien, Constantin Hansen and Christen Købke who assisted with the decoration of Materialgaard based on Freund’s designs.

Historical Significance

Hermann Ernst Freund played a crucial role in shaping Danish sculpture during the Golden Age. His pioneering exploration of Nordic mythology not only revitalized national artistic identity but also established a unique and enduring legacy. The largest collection of his works is housed at the Glyptotek in Copenhagen, ensuring that future generations can appreciate his contributions to art history. He remains an important figure for understanding the intersection of Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and National Identity in 19th-century Danish art.

Muzej

Statens Museum For Kunst

Na razstavi v Kodaň, Danska

A Heartbeat of Danish Art: The National Gallery of Denmark

Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) je pomembno kulturno znamenitost Danske republike, ki ponuja osupljivo zgodovino umetnosti in arhitekturo. Muzej se nahaja v prestižnem mestu Kopenhagens, kjer gostitelji več kot 240.000 umetniških del iz različnih obdobij – od srednjeveške umetnosti do sodobne estetike. SMK je ustanavljajoča leta 1896 in že več desetletij predstavlja vrh danskega umetništva.

Zbirka znanih mojstrov:

SMK je ena največjih umetniških zbirk v Danski, ki vsebuje dela velikanskih umetnikov iz različnih obdobij – Hans Holbein mladši, Lucas Cranach starejši, Rembrandt ter Peter Paul Rubens. Zbirka pokriva časovno razdaljo od srednjeveške umetnosti do ekspresionizma in moderne estetike.

Arhitektura Muzeja:

Muzej je zgradil priznani arhitekt Christian Lassen leta 1894. Zelo impozantna fasada muzea je izjemno primer arhitekturne umetnosti Beaux-Arts obdobja in ponuja osupljive možnosti za oglejte si umetnost v okolju, ki spodbuja občutek lepote.

Izrazito mesto Danske kulture:

SMK ni samo muzej; je življenje zapis danskega nacionalnega identiteta. Muzej predstavlja zgodovino umetnosti Danske republike in njegovo bogato kulturno dediščino za nasledne generacije.

Čudovit pogled na Kopenhagensko okolje:

Muzej je urejeno tako, da gostajem omogoči popolno oprijem umetnosti. Števni dodatni elementi arhitekture – kot sta Magnolia kavarna in otroška igraonica – ustvarjajo prijazno okolje za obiskovalce vseh staršev.

Pomembna zgodovina umetnosti Danske:

SMK je znan po svojih izrazitih umetniških projektih, ki so vodiljo v svetovno umetnost. Muzej ponuja široko paleto razstavnih prostorov, kjer gostitelji lahko odkrijejo nove perspektive o znanju umetnosti.

Čudovit pogled na Kopenhagensko okolje: Magnolia Kavarna

Magnolia kavarna je urejena tako, da gostajem omogoči popolno oprijem umetnosti. Števni dodatni elementi arhitekture – kot sta Magnolia kavarna in otroška igraonica – ustvarjajo prijazno okolje za obiskovalce vseh staršev.

Pomembna zgodovina umetnosti Danske: Razstavni prostori

Muzej je znan po svojih izrazitih umetniških projektih, ki so vodiljo v svetovno umetnost. Muzej ponuja široko paleto razstavnih prostorov, kjer gostitelji lahko odkrijejo nove perspektive o znanju umetnosti.

Čudovit pogled na Kopenhagensko okolje: Otroška igraonica

Otroška igraonica je urejena tako, da otroci lahko odkrijejo novo svetovno umetnost. Števni dodatni elementi arhitekture – kot sta Magnolia kavarna in otročka igraonica – ustvarjajo prijazno okolje za obiskovalce vseh staršev.

Čudovit pogled na Kopenhagensko okolje: Otroška igraonica

Otročka igraonica je urejena tako, da otroci lahko odkrijejo novo svetovno umetnost. Števni dodatni elementi arhitekture – kot sta Magnolia kavarna in otročka igraonica – ustvarjajo prijazno okolje za obiskovalce vseh staršev.

## Čudovit pogled na Kopenhagensko okolje: Otroška igraonica

Otročka igraonica je urejena tako, da otroci lahko odkrijejo novo svetovno umetnost. Števni dodatni elementi arhitekture – kot sta Magnolia kavarna in otročka igraonica – ustvarjajo prijazno okolje za obiskovalce vseh staršev.