Kristian Zahrtmann

Peder Kristian Henrik Zahrtmann ( Danish pronunciation: [ ' sardman ] ) ( born March 31, 1843 in Ronne (Bornholm ), † 22 June 1917 in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen) was a Danish painter.

Life

Zahrtmann was born on the island of Bornholm, the son of district physician Carl Vilhelm Zahrtmann (1810-1899) and Laura Pouline, nee Jespersen ( 1822-1918 ). He earned his degree in 1862 at the Soro Akademi. Subsequently, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts Copenhagen ( 1864-1868 ). There were his most important teacher Vilhelm Marstrand, Jørgen Roed, Niels Simonsen and Frederik propagating. Since then he has worked as a painter in his own studio. A grant from the Academy of Fine Arts allowed him a multi-year stay in Italy (1876-1878), which he spent mainly in Rome, Siena, Amalfi and Saracinesco. Between 1883 and 1911, Zahrtmann held on for 17 summers in Civita d' Antino in Abruzzo, often with students and friends. His love of the south found expression in many Italian landscapes and genre pictures.

The published until 1869 autobiography of Leonora Christina Ulfeldt ( 1621-1698 ), a 22-year long imprisoned Danish King's daughter, Zahrtmann woke longstanding interest in this person. Scenes from her life, he turned in a total of 18 large-scale historical paintings dar. Other female figures from the Danish or Scandinavian history were painted by Zahrtmann.

From 1885 to 1908 Zahrtmann headed the preparatory class of the Kunstnernes peace Studieskoler in Copenhagen, later named after him shortly " Zahrtmann school". Founded in deliberate contrast to the Danish Art Academy, young painters were given an alternative education here. 1917 Zahrtmann died unmarried at the consequences of appendicitis. He was buried in an urn grave at the Vestre Kirkegård (Copenhagen). Among the honors received from Zahrtmann include bronze medals in the world exhibitions in Paris in 1889 and 1900, and honorary citizenship of Civita d' Antino 1902. Among his students, among other things include Fritz Syberg, Poul S. Christiansen, John Larsen, Karl Isakson and Harald greed Sing.

Work

Zahrtmann overcame the traditions of academic painting and the Golden Age of Danish art in favor of naturalism and realism. In the increasingly strong coloring of his pictures he already approached the expressionism. Among the Danish painters of his time, he stood there unique because it will still clung to the subject and history painting, as these styles lost in importance. In contemporary criticism, therefore, he came across mixed response, which also reflects the fact that many important works Zahrtmann today are privately owned. This applies especially his late paintings of male figures from Greek mythology, and history ( Prometheus, 1904; Socrates, 1907; Alcibiades, 1911), which have a homoerotic overtones. Today he is considered one of the most important Danish artist of the second half of the 19th century.

Zahrtmann was also a gifted writer, as evidenced by his printed memoirs (published in several parts in Tilskueren, 1908-1918 ) as well as in his correspondence, which was published by his friend F. Hendriksen (En Mindebog, 1919).

List of works (selection)

• Leonora Christina i Fængselet (Leonora Christina in prison) (1875 ), The Hirschsprungske Samling, Copenhagen
• Dronning Sofie Amalie død ( The Death of Queen Sofie Amalie ) (1882 ), two versions: Statens Museum for Kunst and the Hirschsprungske Samling, Copenhagen
• Studenter drager ud til Københavns forsvar 1658 ( students move in 1658 for the defense of Copenhagen ) (1888 ), The Hirschsprungske Samling, Copenhagen
• Det mystiske bryllup mellem biskoppen above abbedissen af Pistoja fejres uden for S. Pietro år 1500 ( The mystical marriage between the bishop and the Abbess of Pistoia is in 1500 outside of St. Peter celebrated ) ( 1894), Bornholm Art Museum, Gudhjem
• Havnen ved Portofino ( The harbor at Portofino ) (1900), Funen Art Museum, Odense
• Christina Palazzo Corsini i Dronning ( Queen Christina in Palazzo Corsini ) (1908), Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
• Adam i Paradis (Adam in Paradise ) ( 1914), Private Collection