Danish artist Harry Kluge produced a selection of predominantly marine artwork, although he also painted a number of landscapes and portraits. Whilst these are composed in oil paint, Kluge originally trained in the craft of lithography. His education was put into practice when Kluge was employed by Bing & Grondhal, one of Denmark’s foremost manufacturers of decorated ceramics.

Significantly, Kluge’s oeuvre seems to indicate this experience had an influence on his painting style. In particular, his use of light. Lithography would have demanded a skilled hand to translate the ephemeral nature of light, and it is a subject with which Kluge becomes entranced.

Whilst employed at Bing & Grondhal, Kluge befriended fellow artist Christian Benjamin Olsen (1873-1935). With Olsen’s support, Kluge was able to propagate his profession as a painter. He exhibited widely in both Denmark and, later in his career, the USA. Commercially his work appealed to Navy officers, who appreciated the mystical atmosphere tinting his depictions of ships and the sea. Kluge’s work was described in his time as ‘nostalgic,’ although it should be noted he did not embellish his work with romanticism.

1879

Born in Copenhagen.

1897

Trained at the Technical School as a lithographer.

1902-1957

First exhibited at Charlottenborg where he would continue to exhibit regularly for most of his life.

1900-1908

Spent summers in Kullen, Sweden.

1910

Worked for fine porcelain company Bing & Grondhal.

1912

Married Jenny Petersminde.

1921

Won the Benny Claude-Pedersen Art Award.

1927

Featured at the Danish National Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, New York.

1963

Died.