Niels Hansen Jacobsen: Sculpting Myth and Shadow Born in Vejle, Denmark, in 1861, Niels Hansen Jacobsen (NHJ) was more than just a sculptor; he was a weaver of Nordic folklore, a chronicler of the human condition, and a master of evocative form. His life, marked by both artistic triumph and personal tragedy, culminated in a body of work that continues to fascinate and challenge viewers today. Jacobsen’s legacy rests largely on his most famous creation, “Trold der vejrer kristenblod” – "The Troll Who Smells Christian Blood" – a sculpture that initially sparked controversy but ultimately cemen…