Among his notable works are the monumental Landsoldaten (1858) in Fredericia, the statue of Adam Oehlenschläger (1854–61) in front of the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, and the equestrian statue of King Frederik VII of Denmark in front of Christiansborg Castle.

The stay in Rome extended over 10 years during which time he became an assistant to Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

In early 1834, Bissen left Rome to return to Copenhagen where he was awarded a professorship at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts following the death of his predecessor, Hermann Ernst Freund.

He was the son of Christian Gottlieb Wilhelm Bissen (1766–1847), a farmer, and Anna Margrethe Dorothea Elfendal (1763–1848).

His funeral took place at the Vor Frue Kirke in Copenhagen and was followed by his burial at Assistens Cemetery.