In 1776 the Danish King Christian 7. introduced the nationality laws, which meant that Government posts and other public offices would usually be reserved for persons who had been born in Denmark. 

The following year C.F. Stanley was appointed professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The nationality laws reflected a growing awareness of national identity and history, as did Stanley’s sculpture, created the same year that he obtained Danish citizenship. 

Love of one's country
The title can be translated as Love of one’s country. This establishes a kinship with the king’s mottoHonour through love of one’s country, and the picture symbolically presents honour as the result of patriotic deeds. 

The allegorical figure is shown standing by his armour, shield, sword, and arrow, quite literally trampling another sword underfoot. In reward of deeds suggested, he bears two laurel wreaths, the symbol of honour.

An idealised patriotic citizen
The figure can, however, both be read as a symbol of patriotism and as an idealised patriotic citizen. During the 1760s Stanley spent some time in Rome where he followed discussions of the latest ideas concerning the correlation between the ideal physique and the ideal structure of society. Judging by the figure’s classical pose, heroic musculature and studied ideal proportions, the late absolute monarchy must have created a new breed of ideal subjects.

Amor patriae (1777), allegory symbolizing patriotism, Carl Frederik Stanley (1738-1813), plaster, National Gallery of Denmark (Copenhagen, Denmark). Made with Memento Beta.

This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.

Scanned : Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)