Clemens, Johan Frederik (1749-1831)

Johan Frederik Clemens (1749-1831) was a Pomeranian-Danish master of etchings and engravings. He trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he later became a member. He’s represented at the British Museum, Harvard Art Museums, National Gallery of Art in Washington, National Museum in Oslo, National Museum in Stockholm, Royal Collection Trust, and The Met Museum.

Exhibited

Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin, Charlottenborg Salon in Copenhagen, Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen.

Public Collections

British Museum, Government Art Collection, Harvard Art Museums, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, National Gallery of Art in Washington, National Museum in Oslo, National Museum in Stockholm, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Royal Collection Trust, The Met Museum.

Timeline

1749

Born in Gollnow, Pomerania to Johan David Clemens, a weaver, and Anna Clemens (nee Francken).

Moved to Copenhagen.

1761

Enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

Awarded two silver medallions by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

C. 1764

Studied under Johan Edvard Mandelberg.

C. 1769-1770

Studied under Johan Martin Preisler.

1774

Travelled to Paris and became influenced by the works of Charles-Nicolas Cochin.

1777

Travelled to Geneva and produced plates for Charles Bonnet's ‘Oeuvres d'histoire naturelle et de philosophie’. Also an etching after Jens Juel’s portrait of Charles Bonnet. Juel and Clemens became lifelong friends.

1778

Returned to Copenhagen.

1779

Appointed Royal Engraver and produced numerous plates for the royal family over the next ten years.

1781

Travelled to Paris to marry Marie Jeanne Crevoisier who would later become an established artist in her own right.
Returned to Copenhagen.

1786

Engraved a plate after a work by Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard titled ‘Socrates’.
Elected a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

1787

Travelled to Berlin where he stayed for four years.

1788

Elected a member of the Academy of Arts in Berlin.

1792

Travelled to London.
Undertook plates after works by John Trumbull and Benjamin West.

1794

Exhibited at the Charlottenborg Salon in Copenhagen.

1795

Married Ann Rees in London.
Returned to Denmark.

1797

Served as Treasurer for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

1813

Appointed Professor of Copperplate Etching at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

1815