Arne Lofthus

Arne Lofthus
Born	(1881-09-23)23 September 1881 Bergen,Norway
Died	16 May 1962(1962-05-16)(aged 80) Copenhagen,Denmark
Nationality	Norwegian - Danish
Alma mater	Copenhagen Technical College
Occupation	Painter

Arne Lofthus(23 September 1881 – 16 May 1962) was a Norwegian painter who settled in Denmark.

Background

Arne Wallem Lofthus was born inBergen,Norway to newspaper editorOlav Lofthus(1847–94) and Valborg Henriette Wallem (1851–1929). He attendedBergen Cathedral School.He studied at theCopenhagen Technical College1899–1901. From 1902 to 1903 he studied withKristian Zahrtmann.In 1901 Arne Lofthus joinedJoakim Skovgaardand became one of his co-workers at the fresco decoration ofViborg Cathedral.This collaboration lasted until 1906. In 1907–08, Lofthus studied in Paris.

In 1907 he made his debut atDen frie Udstillingin Copenhagen. From 1915, he was a permanent resident of Copenhagen. He received theA. C. Houen Grant(A. C. Houens legat) in 1907, 1912 and theConrad Mohr Grant(Conrad Mohrs legat) in 1923.

Career

Lofthus painted landscapes, still lifes, floral motifs and portraits, often in subdued colors. He has become known for his use of the fresco technique, but he also painted in oil and watercolor and drew with coal. His images are usually attributed to the extension of Impressionism.

Among his paintings are thefrescosPike som grer håret(1915),Else blåser såpebobler(1916),Oksestek(1924) andBlomkål og epler,all in theNational Gallery of Norway.His portraits include oceanographerBjørn Helland-Hansen,poetNordahl Griegas well as paintersKarl MadsenandJoakim Skovgaard.

Personal life

In 1909, Lofthus was married to Sofie Vilhelmine Madsen (1887-1965), daughter of the painter and art historianKarl Madsen.

Other sources

• Marianne Barbusse MariagerArne Lofthus(Kunstindeks Danmark/Weilbachs Kunstnerleksikon)