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With the end of the 19th century Copenhagen experienced an almost unique boom. With industrialization came prosperity and with it a large number of new inhabitants. Viggo Johansen was born into a time of change. The monarchical structure had changed and more than a few people were able to acquire a comfortable prosperity during these times. The son of a merchant, he developed a desire to devote himself to the fine arts and began studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen. He showed talent, but it was not enough for a degree. After three failed attempts to pass the final exam, he left the university. A fate that Viggo Johansen shared with a fellow student. Michael Anker had also begun studying in the early 1870s and dropped out without graduating. The two young Danish artists began to look for a perspective together. Anker was ultimately the impetus and lured Viggo Johansen to Skagen. The town in the north of Jutland had captivated Michael Anker. The light and the sea united at the northern tip of Denmark to form a unique symphony. Johansen traveled to Skagen and under his influence the artist colony of Skagen painters developed. Only a year after leaving the academy, Viggo was able to successfully exhibit his first works.
The Skagen painters were a familiar circle of artists who had a close relationship with each other. Viggo Johansen showed himself to be mainly reserved. From today's perspective, Viggo was an outsider. He rarely participated in the friendly gatherings. While the majority of the painters tried to depict the light, Johansen sought his scene among the fishermen and inhabitants. Viggo Johansen oriented himself. He looked for models in the old masters of the Netherlands. His landscapes are a true reflection of nature, in which light always plays a central role. In the circle of the artists' colony Viggo met his future wife. At the time of their first acquaintance, Marta was only fourteen years old. Caught between his artistic development and his love for Marta, Viggo undertakes trips abroad. The artist gains experience and works on his technique. With numerous awards, Viggo returns to Skagen and marries Marta.
The couple leaves Skagen and from now on lives north of Copenhagen. Viggo Johansen retreats to the home nest as much as possible. He concentrates on the representation of his domestic happiness. Interiors and scenes showing his wife become the focus of his painting. The motifs are personal and allow insights into family happiness. The motifs are often of a beautiful simplicity, which become an atmospheric unity through a clever play of light. Parallel to his artistic activity, Viggo takes on teaching positions at the Academy in Copenhagen and later in Stockholm.
With the end of the 19th century Copenhagen experienced an almost unique boom. With industrialization came prosperity and with it a large number of new inhabitants. Viggo Johansen was born into a time of change. The monarchical structure had changed and more than a few people were able to acquire a comfortable prosperity during these times. The son of a merchant, he developed a desire to devote himself to the fine arts and began studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen. He showed talent, but it was not enough for a degree. After three failed attempts to pass the final exam, he left the university. A fate that Viggo Johansen shared with a fellow student. Michael Anker had also begun studying in the early 1870s and dropped out without graduating. The two young Danish artists began to look for a perspective together. Anker was ultimately the impetus and lured Viggo Johansen to Skagen. The town in the north of Jutland had captivated Michael Anker. The light and the sea united at the northern tip of Denmark to form a unique symphony. Johansen traveled to Skagen and under his influence the artist colony of Skagen painters developed. Only a year after leaving the academy, Viggo was able to successfully exhibit his first works.
The Skagen painters were a familiar circle of artists who had a close relationship with each other. Viggo Johansen showed himself to be mainly reserved. From today's perspective, Viggo was an outsider. He rarely participated in the friendly gatherings. While the majority of the painters tried to depict the light, Johansen sought his scene among the fishermen and inhabitants. Viggo Johansen oriented himself. He looked for models in the old masters of the Netherlands. His landscapes are a true reflection of nature, in which light always plays a central role. In the circle of the artists' colony Viggo met his future wife. At the time of their first acquaintance, Marta was only fourteen years old. Caught between his artistic development and his love for Marta, Viggo undertakes trips abroad. The artist gains experience and works on his technique. With numerous awards, Viggo returns to Skagen and marries Marta.
The couple leaves Skagen and from now on lives north of Copenhagen. Viggo Johansen retreats to the home nest as much as possible. He concentrates on the representation of his domestic happiness. Interiors and scenes showing his wife become the focus of his painting. The motifs are personal and allow insights into family happiness. The motifs are often of a beautiful simplicity, which become an atmospheric unity through a clever play of light. Parallel to his artistic activity, Viggo takes on teaching positions at the Academy in Copenhagen and later in Stockholm.