Mother Denmark

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Baumann's Mother Denmark painting from 1851
1920 Reunification Referendum poster

Mother Denmark (Danish: Moder Danmark) is the female personification of Denmark and a patriotic emblem of the Danish nation.

History

Allegorial representations of Denmark as a woman with antique garments and a coat of arms are first seen in the 18th century. In the 19th century, with

B. S. Ingemann and Steen Steensen Blicher have all used Mother Denmark as a national symbol of Denmark and a manifestation of national emotions.[1]

In 1851, under influence of the Danish victory in the

Viking jewellery, holding an antique sword, walking through a field. The painting became a model for many later depictions of Mother Denmark.[1]

In the second half of the 20th century, Mother Denmark references grew out of fashion. They have since then mainly been used in caricature drawing.[2]

Monuments and memorials

The Reunification Monument in July 1930

Many monuments and memorials that commemorate the 1920 Reunification

Sønderjylland with Denmark incorporate a Mother Denmark figure, typically accompanied by a daughter, representing Sønderjylland. An example is the Reunification Memorial at the main entrance to Fælledparken in Copenhagen.[3]

A statue of Mother Denmark is also seen in the Danish Emigrants Memorial in Copenhagen.[4]

The sculptor Arne Bang has also created a Mother Denmark sculpture. A bronze cast of it is located in Fensmark.

Cultural references

Gallery

  • Mother Denmark sculpture as the focalpoint of the Memorial Mound in Copenhagen
    Mother Denmark sculpture as the focalpoint of the Memorial Mound in Copenhagen
  • Relief in Christiansborg: Mother Denmark flanked by Sweden and Norway
    Relief in Christiansborg: Mother Denmark flanked by Sweden and Norway
  • Carl Thomsen: Mother Denmark
    Carl Thomsen: Mother Denmark
  • Reunification Memorial relief on Sjællandsgade School in Copenhagen
    Reunification Memorial relief on Sjællandsgade School in Copenhagen

Further reading

  • Adriansen, Inge: Mor Danmark, Valkyrie, Skjoldmø og Fædrelandsymbol, In: Folk og Kultur - Årbog for Foreningen Danmarks Folkeminder, 1987.
  • Jebsen, Nina: Als die Menschen gefragt wurden, Münster/New York 2015, p. 176/177

References

  1. ^ a b "Mor Danmark" (in Danish). Gyldendal. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Danmark, Mit moderland". Berlingske (in Danish). 4 January 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Monument For Genforeningen 1930" (in Danish). Dansk Center for Byhistorie. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Mindehøjen" (PDF) (in Danish). Kulturstyrelsen. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Mor Danmark". nomos-dk.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 11 July 2020.

External links