Carl Martin Soya-Jensen was an accomplished Danish painter of landscapes, street scenes and architecture.
Born in the city of Odense, Soya-Jensen was an astute child with interests in both philosophy and physics. It’s conceivable that he could’ve pursued a scientific career, yet opted instead for artistic pursuits. Watercolour was initially his medium of choice and he trained under the tutelage of Niels Bredal (1841-1888), known for his precise architectural renderings. The pair evidently had an affinity for the technical side of draughtsmanship, as Bredal’s clinical eye inspired the young artist significantly.
In 1884, Soya-Jensen debuted at the renowned Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, and a year later pursued further tuition at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He was now furnished with the skills required to work at the highest echelons.
Upon returning to the Danish capital, he was hired by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts as a teacher of watercolours - a position he held for 18 years. During his time there, he trained numerous students including several members of the Royal Family (Maria Feodorovna, Queen Aleksandra, Princess Marie, Princess Louise, Princess Ingeborg and Princess Thyra). This cemented him into the clique of academia and he became an important voice, also elected as the chairman of the Artists' Association.
During the early 20th century, for reasons unknown, he turned increasingly to oil painting - and did so with equal dexterity. Retaining his penchant for details, he produced numerous city views and landscapes - each cleverly composed, often with a distinct vanishing point. These works are successful not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their mathematical accuracy.
He visited various provinces in search of inspiration and spent a considerable amount of time in Ribe. Here, he frequently crossed paths with other artists such as Johan Rohde (1856-1935) and Laurits Tuxen CVO (1853-1927). It was a close-knit circle and he’s referred to in one of Rohde’s letters - described, somewhat lightheartedly, as painting the entire town, inside and out.
Aside from Denmark, he travelled extensively overseas, pitching his easel in Germany, particularly Munich, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy. He also undertook study trips to Rapallo on the Italian Riviera and Genoa.
His friend, Peder Mønsted, produced a portrait in around 1910, which captures him with his palette and brushes. His life was sadly cut short a few years later.
Carl Martin Soya-Jensen was an artist with an inquiring mind. One who approached a view with an analytical disposition, keen to represent nature accurately. His compositions were often deliberately challenging and, as such, pleasing on the eye when rendered skillfully. He’s represented in numerous public collections including at the Statens Museum for Kunst, Aarhus Art Museum and Ribe Art Museum. The author and dramatist, Carl Erik Soya (1896-1983), was his son.
Exhibited
Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, World Exhibition in Paris (1889), International Art Exhibition at the Glaspalast in Munich (1909), Dresden.
Public Collections
Statens Museum for Kunst, Vejle Art Museum, Aarhus Art Museum, Ribe Art Museum, plus museums in Lübeck, Dresden and Antwerp.
Timeline
1860
Born in Odense to Carl Jensen, a cloth manufacturer, and Johanne Kirstine Jensen (nee Rasmussen).
1879
Studied at Odense Cathedral School where he undertook the philosophy exam in 1880 before studying physics.
C. 1884
Trained under the watercolourist Niels Bredal (1841-1888).
Debuted at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. He continued to exhibit until his death in 1912, missing only two years.
1885
Enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
1888
Appointed a teacher of watercolour painting by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, a position he held until 1906.
1889
Awarded a travel grant by the Academy for a study trip to London.
Published a guide to watercolour painting titled ‘Aquarelle Technique’.
1891
Married the artist, Emilie Johanne Elise Bolvig (1864-1892).
1895
Married Ingeborg Regine Hammer (1869-1916).
1896
Appointed as chairman of the Artists' Association. A position he held until 1907.
1912
Died in Copenhagen.
Obituaries
Dannevirke
“A Danish Painter dead. The Danish painter Soya Jensen, who was recently appointed Professor, left on 21 February. at death, 51 years old. Soya Jensen was one of the finest Danish watercolour painters. Sine Motiver chose ban with fondness in old Ayer, especially in Holland, in the old Copenhagen, in Ribe and Sæby. He has been a teacher with the Empress Dagmar, Queen Aleksandra and Princesses Marie, Louise, Ingeborg and Thyra.”