Anders Sandøe Ørsted Statue

Beneath the watchful gaze of ancient trees, sits a man lost in thought. This is the Anders Sandøe Ørsted Statue, a bronze tribute to a complex figure in Danish history. Anders Sandøe Ørsted was more than just the brother of the famous physicist Hans Christian Ørsted. He was a prominent jurist, a prime minister, and a man whose political stances often sparked controversy. The statue itself captures a moment of contemplation. Ørsted is depicted as a wise man from antiquity, seated on a klismos, a type of ancient Greek chair, draped in a toga. His chin rests on his hand, his left arm draped over the back of the chair. A casket filled with scrolls sits beneath the chair, hinting at his vast legal knowledge. This casket bears a relief depicting a powerful scene: Nemesis reading the deeds of man aloud to Jupiter, a reminder of justice and accountability. The statue’s creation is a story in itself. Commissioned in the 19th century by art historian Niels Laurits Høyen, the original plan was a marble statue. However, Ørsted’s fluctuating popularity and strong political views made fundraising difficult. Sculptor Herman Wilhelm Bissen, known for his fiery temperament, was furious at the setbacks. He nearly destroyed the model in a fit of rage, only to be stopped by his students. Bissen died before seeing his vision realized. His son, Vilhelm Bissen, eventually sold the plaster model to Carl Jacobsen. Jacobsen then commissioned a marble copy, which served as the basis for the bronze statue we see today. The Anders Sandøe Ørsted Statue was finally unveiled in 1902, decades after its initial conception, a testament to both the artist’s persistence and Ørsted’s enduring legacy. The statue stands as a reminder of a man who shaped Danish law and navigated the turbulent waters of 19th-century politics.