It was a stay at the International People’s College in 1933 that would prove pivotal to Carl-Henning Pedersen’s future. Here, he met Else Alfelt (1910–1974), who introduced him to painting. The couple were married the following year and, in 1936, they both debuted at the Artists’ Autumn Exhibition in Copenhagen. Seven decades of “putting colour next to colour” then followed. Carl-Henning Pedersen was interested in Picasso and Paul Klee from early on, and inspired by primitive art, chalk frescoes and children’s drawings. His art is described as spontaneous-abstract, imaginative and colourful. In 1975, during a stay in Jerusalem, he met the Norwegian artist Sidsel Ramson. They married a few years later, and the meeting with Sidsel Ramson marked a turning point in Pedersen’s art, which became freer and more glowing in colour. The couple settled in Molesmes in France.
Carl-Henning Pedersen, Blue Birds and Winged Horses
Carl-Henning Pedersen’s motifs are populated by magical creatures. Floating, winged figures, a blue colour palette and a playful and narrative imagery featuring birds, suns, horses and ships. A recurring theme in Carl-Henning Pedersen’s artistic work is the mask. We find the mask motif in his watercolours, ink drawings, paintings and even in his sculptures. For Carl-Henning Pedersen, human imagination and spontaneity are the creative force. In Herning, Pedersen created the monumental mural “Fantasiens leg om livets hjul” (The play of imagination around the wheel of life) (1966–68). One of Carl-Henning Pedersen’s most significant major works is his decoration of Ribe Cathedral from 1983. Commissioned by the Danish Arts Foundation, he decorated the cathedral with a personal interpretation of biblical motifs executed in mosaics, glass mosaics and frescoes. It is not for nothing that Carl-Henning Pedersen is often described as the “fairytale painter”.
Carl-Henning Pedersen and Linien, Høst, Helhesten and CoBrA
Pedersen actively participated in the activities of Linien – an association of artists who, from 1934–1939, published a pioneering art journal and presented modern painting at a number of exhibitions. From 1941–1944, Carl-Henning Pedersen was part of the circle involved with the journal Helhesten (Hell’s Horse). He was a member of the Autumn Exhibition from 1942–1950, just as his style earned him a natural place in the CoBrA group from 1948–1951, with whom he achieved international recognition. So Carl-Henning Pedersen participated in artist groups for many years, together with significant artists such as Vilhelm Lundstrøm, Hans Scherfig, Ejler Bille, Egill Jacobsen, Erik Thommesen, Henry Heerup and Asger Jorn.
Some of Carl-Henning Pedersen’s Exhibitions
In 1941, the Helhesten artists could be seen erecting a striped circus tent in Dyrehaven (the deer park), which formed the setting for the “13 Artists in a Tent” exhibition – the only Danish avant-garde exhibition during the Second World War. Pedersen’s international breakthrough came in 1962, when he was Denmark’s official representative at the Venice Biennale. In 1976, Carl-Henning Pedersen and Else Alfelt’s Museum in Herning was inaugurated. The museum was built by C.F. Møller to accommodate works by the two artists and decorated by Carl-Henning Pedersen himself. (His urn is buried in the inner courtyard of the museum). Every year, the museum has provided the setting for exhibitions focusing on Carl-Henning Pedersen’s artistic interfaces, life and works.
Some of Carl-Henning Pedersen’s Most Prestigious Nominations and Awards
1950 – The Eckersberg Medal
1958 – The Guggenheim Award
1963 – The Thorvaldsen Medal
1964 – Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
1974 – Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog, 1st degree
1980 – The Prince Eugen Medal
Works by Carl-Henning Pedersen for Sale at Bruun Rasmussen
At Bruun Rasmussen, we have works for sale that arouse interest and are relevant to buyers and collectors. Here, you can keep an eye on the works by Carl-Henning Pedersen that you can bid on right now.
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