Thorvaldsen was a super star Danish sculptor in the first part of the ninteenth century. Art historians today agree as far as I can see that he was overrated in his own time. He was not only an artist but became one of the most important symbols in the building of the modern national Danish state. Today the Thorvaldsen Museum is still one of the largest museums in Copenhagen. I guess his position is secured by the history of the country but how is he viewed today in Denmark and abroad? If he was overrated then, why are there still such a big museum in Copenhagen dedicated to his art (and his art collection)? Can the national hero and the national historical aspect keep the museum alive? I guess there must be som kind of art value back to justfy the museum.
The museum itself has become in a positive sense a museum, as most of the rooms stills looks like they did in the ninteenth century. Is this a strategic choice? The letters to and from Thorvaldsen are all available online in an impressive database. Why? There are greater artists and greater historical figures then Thorvaldsen in Denmark, but non of them have such a great building or this level of online presence.
Even the English Wikipedia article about Thorvaldsen tells the argument that he was more pure classical then Canova, but the art of Canova is still subject to exhibitions around Europe and I am not sure this is the case with Thorvaldsen. So he migh be more pure classical and less artistically interesting today.
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