Georg Emil Libert was an esteemed painter of landscapes who trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
Born in Copenhagen, Libert was destined to become an artist and debuted at the prestigious Charlottenburg Spring at just 17. It was a regular haunt and he continued to exhibit until 1908, missing only seven years. In 1841, buoyed by his early success, he enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, training under the eminent master, Johan Ludwig Lund (1777-1867). Lund was inspired by the Italian Renaissance and friends with the German romanticist, Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840).
We see the influence of Romanticism in Libert’s landscapes, yet they’re also grounded in the real world. He elevated the truth of nature via intelligent compositions and light effects, selecting views that heightened emotion. Yet, one gets the impression that he rarely added elements for theatrical reasons.
In 1846, following a travel scholarship from the Academy, he undertook a three-year study trip to Munich, which was followed in 1851 by further sojourns to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
His time in Germany increased his admiration for German landscape art, and this is particularly apparent in his views of mountains. Yet, he retained his national identity, combining both Danish Golden Age traditions with German tastes. Nocturnes were his raison d’etre and became highly sought after by both the public and the Danish Art Association.
Today, the enchanting works of Georg Emil Libert still illuminate the mind as they did when first shown. His ability to combine poetry with exquisite details, positions him as one of the foremost landscape painters of his generation. He’s represented in numerous public collections including at the Statens Museum for Kunst, Thorvaldsens Museum, National Gallery in Oslo, and Vejle Museum.
Exhibited
Charlottenburg Spring Exhibition, Kunstforeningen (Danish Art Association).
Public Collections
Copenhagen City Museum, Øregaards Museum, Thorvaldsens Museum, Statens Museum for Kunst, National Gallery in Oslo, West Sealand Museum of Art, Jægerspris Castle, Mineralogical Museum, Silkeborg Museum, Bornholm Museum, Funen Museum, Vejle Museum.
Timeline
1820
Born in Copenhagen to Johan Christian Libert (1790-1846), a cabinet maker, and his wife Andrea Margrethe Hassing (1796-1820).
1837
Debuted at the Charlottenburg Spring Exhibition where he would continue to exhibit frequently until 1908, missing only seven years.
1841
Trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under Johan Ludwig Lund (1777-1867).
1846
Awarded a travel scholarship by the Academy.
1846-1849
Undertook a study trip to Munich.
1851
Undertook a study trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
1852
Married Marie Philippine Caroline Busch, the daughter of a forester, in Frederiksberg.
1857-1859
Undertook study trips to Germany and Switzerland.
1875
Undertook a study trip to Switzerland and Italy.
1908
Died in Copenhagen.