Biography
John Lübschitz was a Danish painter of portraits, interiors, landscapes and genre scenes. He was born John Leopold Lübschitz in Copenhagen in 1858 and died in Gentofte in 1941.
He was raised in an artistic household by the decorative painter and collector Carl Bernhard Lübschitz, before studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he began to establish himself as one of Denmark's most sensitive painters of domestic life.
His carefully observed interiors, tranquil landscapes and intimate family scenes are characterised by refined draughtsmanship, delicate light and an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. Alongside his work as a painter, Lübschitz became an accomplished etcher and technical innovator.
His innovations in etching - including the development of a transparent varnish and a specialised etching needle that became known as the "Lübschitz needle" - helped revive interest in the medium and encouraged established painters such as Otto Bache, Erik Henningsen, Joakim Skovgaard and Hans Tegner to experiment with original prints.
Known For
Quiet domestic interiors, portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, and etchings.
Student Of
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen
Lived In
- Copenhagen
- Paris
- Gentofte
Public Collections
- Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
- Hirschsprung Collection, Copenhagen
- Several Danish municipal museums
Timeline
1858
Born on 23 April in Copenhagen to Carl Bernhard Lübschitz, an accomplished decorative painter and avid art collector, and Martha Marie Gulbrandsen.
1876
Entered Sorø Academy before deciding to pursue a professional artistic career.
1877-1882
Studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.
1882
Made his exhibition debut with the genre painting 'A Cup of Coffee' together with a portrait of a lady.
1883
Exhibited an acclaimed portrait of the sculptor Professor Theobald Stein.
1884
Married Emma Laura Sofie Stein, daughter of Professor Theobald Stein.
1880s
Established himself as a painter of portraits, domestic interiors and genre scenes, while also travelling in Norway to paint landscapes inspired by Scandinavian scenery.
1889
Began exhibiting original etchings, quickly earning recognition as one of Denmark's finest printmakers.
1894
The Danish Etching Society published his large Portrait of a Young Girl, regarded as one of his finest prints.
1896
Produced another important large-scale landscape etching, further cementing his reputation as a master of the medium.
Late 19th Century
Invented a transparent etching varnish and designed the specialised "Lübschitz needle", innovations that were adopted by fellow Danish artists.
1941
Died in Gentofte on 13 February at the age of 82.