Denmark's First Victim of Cancel Culture? See the Portrait Exhibition at Frederiksborg Castle

It started so well

In the exhibition 'Loved and Loathed' at the National History Museum at Frederiksborg, you can see the more than 100 works painted by portraitist Christian Albrecht Jensen in the first half of the 19th century.

Throughout much of his time, Christian Albrecht Jensen was regarded as one of Denmark's finest portrait painters, and his art was celebrated and admired. See the beautiful works that show how portrait art can bring people to life and reveal their specific personality traits.

Visit the National History Museum at Frederiksborg

Like walking through Danish history

As mentioned, Christian Albrecht Jensen was a highly renowned and sought-after portrait painter in his time. Therefore, he was allowed to portray some of the most important and influential people of the period. Walking among the works is like stepping into Danish history itself.

For example, Christian Albrecht Jensen portrayed well-known and significant Danish figures such as poet Hans Christian Andersen, painter Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, poet Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger, and theologian N. F. S. Grundtvig.

It ended with expulsion

However, the fame - and thus the orders for new paintings - did not last for Christian Albrecht Jensen. Although he tried both going abroad and changing his painting style, he eventually felt compelled to give up painting altogether.

It was particularly harsh criticism from art critic N.L. Høyden and Christian Albrecht Jensen's own political beliefs that led to his expulsion from the elite circles. Experience the exhibition at the National History Museum at Frederiksborg and see if you can understand why he was frozen out, or if you completely disagree.