Her preferred themes were domestic animals and people, with an intense, naturalistic portrayal of movements and sentiments.

She travelled to the Netherlands, Belgium and Paris where she visited the Exposition Universelle, entering two calf figurines[a] and winning a bronze medal.

[c] The couple became inseparable and on 20 March considered themselves married,[2] celebrating with a party on 10 April[4] and agreeing to wed formally once papers arrived from Denmark.

They were married on 10 May in St Mark's English Church, Florence, having decided to visit Italy together before returning to Denmark,[2] and Anne Marie took the family name Carl-Nielsen.

[4] Although she had already overcome parental opposition to start her studies, with her marriage she was to have the freedom she needed to pursue her artistic career,[d] including long stays away from home.

Before they left they engaged as housekeeper Maren Hansen, who worked "with exceptional devotion",[8] staying with the family until her death in 1946 and catering for the artistic needs of the parents.

[8] In Athens, Anne Marie copied the Poros Group from the gable[e][clarification needed] of the Old Temple of Athena.

[4] In 1916 she helped found the Society for Women Artists (Kvindelinge Kunstneres Samfund) with the painter Anna Ancher.

[4] Anne Marie's long absences from home to further her career had put a strain on the Nielsens' marriage as early as 1896.

[14][15][16] In 1933, part of the equestrian monument's pedestal was erected on Skagen as Danish Fisherman and Rescuer (Dansk Fisker og Redningsmand).

There were several events to celebrate her 80th birthday and she was admitted as an honorary member of the Danish Society of Sculptors (Dansk Billedhugger).