# Bertel Thorvaldsen > Danish sculptor (1770–1844) **Wikidata**: [Q47812](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47812) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertel_Thorvaldsen) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bertel-thorvaldsen ## Summary Bertel Thorvaldsen was a Danish sculptor and designer who lived from 1770 to 1844. He is celebrated for his significant contributions to public art and the art of sculpture, notably creating iconic works such as the statue of *Christus* and the *Lion Monument*. His globally recognized sculptures and monuments have left a lasting legacy in European art. ## Biography * **Born:** November 19, 1770 * **Died:** March 24, 1844 * **Nationality:** Kingdom of Denmark * **Education:** Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts * **Known for:** Creating globally recognized statues and public monuments as a sculptor and designer. * **Employer(s):** Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts * **Field(s):** Art of sculpture, public art ## Contributions Bertel Thorvaldsen's primary contributions are his monumental sculptural works, which have become iconic public landmarks across Europe. * **Jason with the Golden Fleece (1803):** A defining early statue that established his reputation. * **Ganymede with Jupiter's Eagle (1817):** A notable sculptural work from his mid-career. * **Lion Monument (1821):** A famous memorial located in the city of Lucerne, Switzerland. * **Monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski in Warsaw (1826–1832):** A significant public monument in Poland, with inception dates recorded in 1826, 1827, and 1832. * **Christus (1838):** A renowned statue of Jesus Christ created for the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark. * **Nicolaus Copernicus Monument in Warsaw (1850):** A major monument dedicated to the astronomer, located in Warsaw, Poland. He is also directly associated with several cultural institutions and honors named after him, including the **Thorvaldsen Museum**, which was inaugurated in Copenhagen on September 18, 1848; the **Thorvaldsen Medal**, a prestigious award for the visual arts established in 1837; and **Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads**, a public square in Copenhagen. ## FAQs **What are Bertel Thorvaldsen's most famous sculptures?** Thorvaldsen is best known for his public sculptures and monuments, including *Jason with the Golden Fleece* (1803), *Christus* (1838), the *Lion Monument* (1821) in Lucerne, and the *Nicolaus Copernicus Monument* (1850) in Warsaw. **What academic institutions and societies was Bertel Thorvaldsen affiliated with?** He was educated at and employed by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Additionally, he was a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence, the Académie des beaux-arts in Paris, and the German Archaeological Institute. **What awards and state honors did Bertel Thorvaldsen receive?** Throughout his life, Thorvaldsen received numerous high-profile decorations, including the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts, the Pour le Mérite, the Order of the Iron Crown (Austria), the Friedrich Order, and the Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog. He was also granted the honorary citizenship of Mainz, Germany. ## Why They Matter Bertel Thorvaldsen profoundly impacted the field of neoclassical sculpture, elevating the medium through his globally dispersed public art. His works, such as the *Lion Monument* and *Christus*, have become defining cultural and historical landmarks in Switzerland and Denmark. By holding prominent memberships in major European academies and receiving some of the highest civilian and artistic honors of his era, Thorvaldsen helped shape the standards of 19th-century art. The establishment of the Thorvaldsen Museum and the Thorvaldsen Medal ensures that his artistic legacy continues to be preserved and that his influence on the visual arts is recognized ongoingly. ## Notable For * Being a celebrated Danish sculptor and designer. * Creating the *Christus* statue in 1838 for the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen. * Sculpting the *Lion Monument* in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1821. * Designing the *Monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski* and the *Nicolaus Copernicus Monument* in Warsaw. * Receiving the Pour le Mérite (Sciences and Arts) and the Order of the Iron Crown (Austria). * Serving as a member of the German Archaeological Institute, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, and the Académie des beaux-arts. * Having the Thorvaldsen Museum (established 1848) and the Thorvaldsen Medal (established 1837) named in his honor. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen (also known by aliases such as Alberto Thorvaldsen, Alberto Thorwaldsen, and Bertel Thorwaldsen) was born on November 19, 1770, in the Kingdom of Denmark. Demonstrating an early aptitude for the arts, he was formally educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. ### Career and Notable Works Thorvaldsen established a highly successful career as a sculptor and designer, focusing extensively on the art of sculpture and public art. His oeuvre includes several masterpieces that remain culturally significant today: * **Jason with the Golden Fleece (1803):** This statue marked a pivotal moment in his early career. * **Ganymede with Jupiter's Eagle (1817):** A classical sculpture completed during his most productive years. * **Lion Monument (1821):** Designed as a memorial in the city of Lucerne, Switzerland. * **Monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski in Warsaw:** Initiated between 1826 and 1827, with its completion dated to 1832. * **Christus (1838):** A seminal work depicting Jesus Christ, placed in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen. * **Nicolaus Copernicus Monument in Warsaw:** A monumental tribute to the astronomer, dated to 1850. ### Affiliations and Memberships Thorvaldsen was deeply integrated into the European academic and artistic community. He maintained a lifelong affiliation with the **Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts**, serving as both an alumnus and an employee. His expertise earned him membership in several elite international institutions, including the **German Archaeological Institute**, the **Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences**, the **Accademia delle Arti del Disegno** in Florence, Italy, and the **Académie des beaux-arts** in Paris, France. ### Awards and Honors In recognition of his artistic achievements, Thorvaldsen was the recipient of numerous prestigious orders and accolades: * **Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog:** A meritorious award from Denmark. * **Order of the Iron Crown (Austria):** An imperial order of merit. * **Friedrich Order:** An order from the Kingdom of Württemberg. * **Pour le Mérite & Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts:** High orders of merit from the Kingdom of Prussia/Germany. * **Honorary Citizen of Mainz:** A special civic honor conferred by the city of Mainz, Germany. ### Legacy Bertel Thorvaldsen passed away on March 24, 1844. His enduring legacy is carefully preserved through dedicated institutions and cultural landmarks. In 1848, the **Thorvaldsen Museum** was opened in Copenhagen to house his works and collections. In 1837, the **Thorvaldsen Medal** was established, remaining a distinguished award for contributions to the visual arts. Additionally, **Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads**, a square in Copenhagen, bears his name, and his extensive digital footprint is cataloged across major libraries, encyclopedias, and art databases worldwide, including identifiers like ULAN, ISNI, VIAF, and Wikidata. ## References 1. artist list of the National Museum of Sweden. 2016 2. Integrated Authority File 3. BnF authorities 4. The Fine Art Archive 5. RKDartists 6. [Collectie Boijmans Online](https://www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/artworks/164289/album-du-figaro) 7. [Thorvaldsens Død og Bisættelse](https://arkivet.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk/artikler/thorvaldsens-doed-og-bisaettelse) 8. [Source](https://picasso.iro.umontreal.ca/~mona/api/v3/artists) 9. [Bertel Thorvaldsen. Dansk Biografisk Leksikon, 3rd edition. 2023](https://biografiskleksikon.lex.dk/Bertel_Thorvaldsen) 10. International Standard Name Identifier 11. Virtual International Authority File 12. CiNii Research 13. Bertel Thorvaldsen. Kunstindeks Danmark 14. SNAC 15. Find a Grave 16. Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851–1951 17. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 18. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 19. Artists of the World Online 20. Croatian Encyclopedia 21. [Source](https://arkivet.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk/people/bertel-thorvaldsen) 22. Bertel [Thorvaldsen, Alberto; Thorwaldsen, Bertel; Thorwaldsen, Alberto] Thorvaldsen. SIKART 23. KulturNav 24. Thorvaldsen [Thorwaldsen], Bertel 25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 26. CERL Thesaurus 27. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 28. Enciclopedia Treccani 29. LIBRIS. 2012 30. catalogo.beniculturali.it 31. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma993812873504896)