Frits Johannes Bentzen-Bilkvist was a Danish landscape painter, lithographer, porcelain painter and singer.

Bentzen-Bilkvist gained his artistic tuition at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and later the Artists Free Study School under P.S. Kroyer, Laurits Tuxen and Frans Schwartz. He began his early career as a figure painter but, encouraged by fellow artist Godfred Christensen, he soon switched to landscape painting. Many of his views are taken from the rural environs close to Copenhagen, but also observed during stays in Central Jutland.

Frits Johannes Bentzen-Bilkvist, Showery Landscape, Jægerspris, Zealand (1898)

With a desire to elevate the Danish landscape to grandiose proportions, he worked in the romantic tradition. Finding trips to the epic scenery of Himmelbjerget particularly inspirational. In numerous compositions, he selects views with strong vertical planes, while emphasising the dramatic effects of a broad imposing sky.

Aside from landscape painting, he also pursued other creative interests including lithography, and porcelain painting at Bing and Grøndahl. He’s noted, too, as a reputable singer, making his debut in 1895 at The Royal Danish Theatre.

Today, many of Bentzen-Bilkvist’s works are housed in public collections including at the Statens Museum for Kunst (National Museum), Ribe Kunstmuseum, ​​and Forstadsmuseet.

1865

Born in Oslo, Norway, to Hans Christian Bentzen and Anna Cecilie Bentzen (nee Petersen).

1888

Trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

Debuted at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition where he continued to exhibit annually for the next 46 years, missing only one show.

1892

Trained at the Artists Free Study School under P.S. Kroyer, Laurits Tuxen and Frans Schwartz.

1893

Married Anna Elisabeth Christiane Jørgensen.
Exhibited at The World Fair in Chicago.

1895

Singing debut at The Royal Danish Theatre.

1903

Travelled to Cività d'Antino, Italy.

1910

Exhibited at ‘Modern Danish Artists’, Brighton, England.

1934

Died in Frederiksberg, Denmark.