Nielsine Juliane (Nanna) Aakjær née Krog (1874–1962) was a Danish carpenter and
woodcarver
Wood carving (or woodcarving) is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculpture, ...
. She is remembered in particular for contributing to the design and interior decor of , the residence on the Salling Peninsula in northern Jutland where she lived with her husband
Jeppe Aakjær
Jeppe Aakjær (10 September 1866 – 22 (23) April 1930) was a Danish poet and novelist, a member of the ' Jutland Movement' in Danish literature". A regionalist, much of his writings was about his native Jutland. He was known for writings t ...
following their marriage in 1907. Nanna Aakjær was also active in the Women's Suffrage Association, arranging meetings at Jenle from 1908. The popular festive meetings at Jenle which she initiated in 1910 continue to be held at the beginning of August each year.
Biography
Born in Store Døes Manor near
Holstebro
Holstebro is the main town in Holstebro Municipality, Denmark. The town, bisected by Storå, Denmark, ''Storåen'' ("The Large Creek") and has a population of 37,487 (1 January 2025).Grundtvigian family, where girls were given the same opportunities as boys. Her interest in carpentry and woodcarving stemmed ufrom her father who practised his trade in a workshop at the manor. As a result of poor health, he moved into a small house in the neighbourhood where Nanna kept him company and helped him with his work.
Following her father's death in 1887, Nanna aged 13 became a nanny for friends of the family in Skærum Mølle near Vemb while her mother sold the manor and moved to Copenhagen with the younger children. She later joined her family in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
where, after training as a carpenter with her brothers, she attended the Arts and Crafts School for Women, graduating as a carpenter in 1895. She continued her education at the
Technical School
A vocational school (alternatively known as a trade school, or technical school), is a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocationa ...
in
Stockholm
Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...
. Thanks to two grants, she was able to take a study trip to London and a course at the crafts college at Nääs Castle in
Gothenburg
Gothenburg ( ; ) is the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, second-largest city in Sweden, after the capital Stockholm, and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated by the Kattegat on the west coast of Sweden, it is the gub ...
. While in London, she gained insights into the artistic trends in Europe as well as the social and political issues facing women in England. On completing her studies in Stockholm, she became a particularly well educated women, who in addition to her qualifications in art and design, mastered several languages. In 1898, she returned to her mother's home in Copenhagen as a qualified woodcarver.
In 1902, she met the writer Jeppe Aarkjær. They fell in love but as a result of complications with Jeppe's divorce from Marie Bregendahl, their wedding did not take place for some time. They finally married in
Copenhagen City Hall
Copenhagen City Hall () is the headquarters of the Copenhagen City Council as well as the Lord mayor of the Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark. The building is situated on City Hall Square in central Copenhagen.
Architecture
The current building ...
on 25 April 1907. It was Nanna Krog who came up with the first designs of Jenle but she later entrusted the architectural design work to her friend
Povl Baumann
Povl Erik Raimund Baumann (9 November 1878 – 3 July 1963) was a Denmark, Danish architect who was a central figure during the transition from Neoclassical architecture, Neoclassicism to Functionalism (architecture), Functionalism in Danish resi ...
. It was however Nanna who designed the colourful interiors. They moved into Jenle immediately after their marriage and remained their for the rest of their lives.
Nanna Aakjær was also active in the Women's Suffrage Association, arranging meetings at Jenle from 1908. The popular festive meetings at Jenle which she initiated in 1910 continue to be held at the beginning of August each year.
Family
Nanna and Jeppe Aakjær had two children together: Solveig Bjerre (1908–2001) and Espen Aakjær (1911–1958). After her husband died on 22 April 1930, Nanna continued to live in Jenle until she sold it to her daughter Solveig in 1961. She died while in hospital in Skive on 4 August 1962.