Hans Michelsen
Who was Hans Michelsen?
Norwegian sculptor (1789–1859)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Hans Michelsen (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Hans Michelsen (1789 – 20 June 1859) was a Norwegian sculptor, draftsman, and medalist from Leinstrand Municipality, near Melhus. He was the son of farmer Michel Sørensen Hægstad and Abel Jonsdatter. His rural upbringing didn't initially hint at the artistic path he would take. Despite his humble beginnings, Michelsen had the talent and drive to pursue formal training abroad, leading him to Europe's key centers for sculpture.
Michelsen started his artistic education in Stockholm, studying under Swedish sculptor Erik Gustaf Göthe from 1815. This training in the neoclassical style set the stage for the next phase of his growth. In 1820, he moved to Rome and joined the studio of Danish-Norwegian sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, a leading neoclassical artist. Michelsen worked with Thorvaldsen until 1826, learning the discipline, aesthetic values, and techniques that defined Thorvaldsen's renowned work.
Once back in Norway, Michelsen became a top sculptor of his time. He created portrait busts, medals, and sketches. His work connected him with key figures in Scandinavian politics and royalty. His notable busts include those of Norwegian Prime Minister Peder Anker, King Charles XIII of Sweden, King Charles XIV John of Sweden, Crown Prince Oscar, and philanthropist Thomas Angell. These projects showed his reputation and his knack for attracting high-level patrons.
Later in life, Michelsen lived mostly in Christiania, Norway's capital, where he passed away on 20 June 1859. In 1855, he was named a Knight of the Order of St. Olav, one of Norway's highest honors, for his impact on Norwegian art and culture. This acknowledgment came late in his life, recognizing a career that brought Norwegian sculpture in touch with the leading European neoclassical styles.
Before Fame
Hans Michelsen was born in 1789 in Leinstrand, a rural area in central Norway near Melhus. His father, Michel Sørensen Hægstad, was a farmer, and their life was typical for the rural Norwegian class at that time. There weren't many opportunities for the kind of artistic training Michelsen was interested in within Norway, so those looking to become sculptors often had to go to bigger European cities with established academies and workshops.
Michelsen grew up during a time of major political changes in Norway and Europe, including the Napoleonic Wars and Norway forming a union with Sweden in 1814. Despite the turmoil, he focused on the arts and joined the Stockholm studio of Erik Gustaf Göthe in 1815, which was the real start of his professional development. He later moved to Rome, the heart of neoclassical sculpture, where he studied under Bertel Thorvaldsen, who greatly influenced European sculpture in the early nineteenth century.
Key Achievements
- Trained under Bertel Thorvaldsen in Rome from 1820 to 1826, one of the preeminent neoclassical sculptors in Europe
- Created portrait busts of major Scandinavian political and royal figures, including two Swedish kings and a Norwegian prime minister
- Awarded the Knight of the Order of St. Olav in 1855 for contributions to Norwegian art
- Worked across multiple disciplines including sculpture, draftsmanship, and medal-making
- Established himself as one of Norway's leading sculptors of the early to mid-nineteenth century following formal training abroad
Did You Know?
- 01.Michelsen studied under Bertel Thorvaldsen in Rome for six years, from 1820 to 1826, placing him in one of the most celebrated sculptural studios of the nineteenth century.
- 02.He produced a portrait bust of Thomas Angell, the wealthy Norwegian philanthropist known for endowing charitable foundations in Trondheim that still bear his name.
- 03.Michelsen's training took him across three countries — Norway, Sweden, and Italy — before he settled into his mature career back in Christiania.
- 04.He was awarded the Knight of the Order of St. Olav in 1855, just four years before his death, as formal state recognition of his artistic contributions.
- 05.Among Michelsen's royal subjects was Charles XIV John of Sweden, who was himself a Frenchman born Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte before becoming king of Sweden and Norway.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Knight of the Order of St. Olav | 1855 | — |