Axel Schovelin was an accomplished academy-trained Danish painter predominantly known for landscapes.
Born in Copenhagen, the son of a bookkeeper, Schovelin developed an advanced ability for drawing early in life and it’s plausible that, via his father’s shop, he had access to numerous study materials. At just twelve years old, a child prodigy, he was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, making him one of the youngest students to enrol.
During his time at the Academy, he trained under the great romanticist, Johan Ludwig Lund (1777-1867), who was known to champion the old masters, including the Dutch landscape painters of the 17th century. Lund was an inspiration and the influence of his tutor can be seen throughout his oeuvre.
In 1848, now 21, he debuted at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, where he would continue to show works for the next 45 years. Popular with bourgeois clientele, his pleasing snapshots of the verdant Danish countryside engendered a sense of national identity, they described a homeland to cherish.
Despite undertaking sketching tours in Germany and France, his style remained unaltered as the decades passed. He remained true to his roots, dedicated to working in the image of his artistic forebears. He was particularly enchanted by the dense forests of Zealand and, towards the end of his life, published a collection of etchings, titled ‘Strange Old Danish Trees in Particular Oak and Beech’.
He’s represented at the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Exhibited
Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, Artists' Association.
1827
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Peter Thorsen Schovelin, a bookseller, and Anne Cathrine Elisabeth Larsen.
1839
Enrolled in the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts at the age of twelve.
1844
Studied under the history painter Johan Ludwig Lund (1777-1867).
1846
Became a student at the Model School of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
1848
Debuted at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, where he continued to show works until 1893, missing only two years.
1851
Married Oline Petrine Moos in Søllerød.
1857
Received the Academy’s travel grant. Undertook study trips to Germany and France.
1860
Birth of son, Julius Schovelin. He would later become an economist and politician.
1866-1867
Commissioned by King Christian IX of Denmark to paint ‘The Castle Ruins at Heidelberg’.
1893
Died in Copenhagen, Denmark.