Svend Johansen (10 September 1890 – 6 October 1970) was a Danish painter, scenographer and illustrator.

Biography

Born in

Gentofte Gentofte () is a district of Gentofte Municipality in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark. Major landmarks include Gentofte Town Hall, Gentofte Hospital and Gentofte Church. Gentofte Lake with surrounding parkland and nature reserves form ...

, Johansen attended the Copehangen Technical School where he met Poul Henningsen who became a friend and associate for the rest of his life. He studied painting at the

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts ( da, Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi - Billedkunst Skolerne) has provided education in the arts for more than 250 years, playing its part in the development of the art of Denmark. History The Royal Dan ...

from 1912 to 1916 under P. Rostrup Bøyesen. In 1919, he began an extended stay in France where he met

Vilhelm Lundstrøm Vilhelm Lundstrøm (26 May 1893 – 9 May 1950) was a Danish modernist painter. He was a central figure in early Danish experimental art and introduced French cubism to Denmark. Biography Vilhelm Henry Lundstrøm was born in Copenhagen, Den ...

in Paris in 1922. Together with Karl Larsen and

Axel Salto Axel Johannes Salto (17 November 1889 – 21 March 1961) was a Danish ceramic artist of international fame. His works also include painting, graphic design and illustrations for books, jewelry and textiles. As author and founder of the art magazi ...

, Johansen and Lundstrøm settled in Bormes near Cannes, establishing the artistic group ''De Fire''. They exhibited together until 1930. Johansen became a member of the

Grønningen Grønningen is a Danish artists cooperative whose members arrange exhibitions and similar events. Founded in 1915, it is one of the oldest and most important groupings of its kind in Denmark and currently has 54 members. It is named after the stree ...

artists association in 1933, exhibiting there for many years. His stay in Bormes had brightened up his paintings, possibly under the influence of

Henri Matisse Henri Émile Benoît Matisse (; 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a drawing, draughtsman, printmaking, printmaker, and sculptur ...

and Auguste Renoir, depicting nude women and landscapes of the south of France. In addition to richly coloured prints, he also produced posters for Grønningen, Tuborg and for the theatre. He contributed sketches to ''Politikens Magasin'' and illustrated books by

Pierre Louÿs Pierre Louÿs (; 10 December 1870 – 4 June 1925) was a French poet and writer, most renowned for lesbian and classical themes in some of his writings. He is known as a writer who sought to "express pagan sensuality with stylistic perfection". ...

, François Rabelais and

Johan Herman Wessel Johan Herman Wessel (6 October 1742 – 29 December 1785) was an 18th-century Danish-Norwegian poet, satirist and playwright. His written work was characterized by the use of parody and satiric wit. Biography Wessel was born and raised at Vest ...

. Johansen was perhaps most effective in contributing to scenic design in the theatre. From 1924, he brought new life into stage decoration in Tivoli's Sommerteater, including cubic curtain patterns. For productions of '' Maskarade'', ''Bortførelsen fra Seraillet'' and ''Slaraffenland'', he not only designed striking stage sets but also provided the costumes. He also collaborated with Poul Henningsen in producing ''På ho'det'' (1929), a revue in Nørrebros Theater.

Awards

In 1948, he was awarded the

Eckersberg Medal The Eckersberg Medal (originally the ''Akademiets Aarsmedaille'' or Annual Academy Medal) is an annual award of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. It is named after Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, known as the father of Danish painting. The Ec ...

and, in 1966, the

Thorvaldsen Medal The Thorvaldsen Medal ( Danish: Thorvaldsens Medalje, Thorvaldsen Medaillen) is awarded annually with few exceptions to a varying number of recipients by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and is its highest distinction within the visual arts. I ...

References

Literature

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External links

Illustrated list of works by Svend Johansen in Danish museums from Kunstineks Danmark
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johansen, Svend 1890 births 1970 deaths 20th-century Danish painters Danish scenic designers People from Gentofte Municipality Recipients of the Thorvaldsen Medal Recipients of the Eckersberg Medal Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts alumni