Danish artist Josef Theodor Hansen is considered one of the leading architectural painters of his generation. Born in Randers, Denmark, he received a formal education via the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and also at Leon Bonnat’s School in Paris. He travelled extensively to hone his craft.
It’s surprisingly unusual to encounter a Danish artist from this period that specialised in such exacting representations of historic buildings. The mainstay of painters during the late 19th century focused their time on naturalistic landscapes, portraits or interiors - all of which had an active buyer.
However, Hansen was entranced by the beguiling splendour of European architecture and toiled to capture it adroitly. Numerous iconic facades were depicted with precision, from the Acropolis of Athens to the Colosseum of Rome. Each underpinned by careful observation and pinpoint draughtsmanship.
Josef Theodor Hansen, Akropolis, Athens (1882)
Josef Theodor Hansen, The Colosseum, Rome (1884)
And when he turned his masterly hand to interiors, the results were equally sparkling.
Josef Theodor Hansen, En Sal i Palazzo Borghese (1886)
The artist at work, peering knowingly over his thin spectacles.
Ingeborg Seidelin, Portrait Of Josef Theodor Hansen At His Easel (1910)
His fascination never waned and he continued to produce exquisite works until his death in 1912. Continually returning to Italian subjects, which remained close to his heart.
Josef Theodor Hansen exhibited extensively including at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. He’s represented at the Musée d'Orsay and the National Gallery of Denmark.
1848
Born in Randers, Denmark to Thomas Hansen and Esther David Josephsen.
1869-1876
Studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen.
1873
Married to Anna Marie Kirstine Thygesen.
1873-1903
Shown at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition.
1881
Studied at Leon Bonnat’s school in Paris.
Travelled to Italy and Greece.
1889
Exhibited at the Exposition Universelle, Paris.
1893
Exhibited at Chicago World's Fair.
1902
Travelled to Scotland.
1909-1912
Shown at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition.
1912
Died in Copenhagen, Denmark.