Danmarksmonumentet, sculpture in copenhagen
Danmarksmonumentet is a statue in Østre Anlæg Park featuring a central column crowned by Mother Denmark, encircled by three lion sculptures on a circular stone base. The figure wears a crown and holds an ancient horn in her left hand and a shield bearing Danish lions in her right, with bronze reliefs and family portraits arranged around the base.
The monument was created around 1892 by sculptor Louis Hasselriis to commemorate the sixty-year marriage anniversary of King Christian IX and Queen Louise, unveiled in 1897 in front of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. After facing public criticism over its design, it was relocated to its current location on Pücklers Bastion in 1919 to 1920, where it remains as a quiet tribute to the royal family.
The monument depicts Mother Denmark adorned with a crown and cape, representing national symbols that connect to Denmark's identity and royal traditions. The lions at the base and bronze portraits of the royal family embedded in the structure tell stories that locals recognize as part of their national heritage.
The monument sits in Østre Anlæg Park and is easy to find by following paths through the green spaces; the surroundings offer benches for rest and quiet walks. In summer, thick tree foliage can partly hide the sculpture, so visiting in spring or autumn provides better visibility of the details.
Though the monument now stands quietly in the park, it was mocked by the public and even hidden from view after its initial 1897 unveiling, only being relocated to its current spot years later. The bronze reliefs carved around the base tell small visual stories from the royal family's life, including wedding celebrations and historical moments that reveal themselves only upon close inspection.
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