Richard MORTENSEN
1910–1993, Denmark

Richard Mortensen:
Studium at the Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen,
with prof. Sigurd Wandel and Aksel Jørgensen.
Earlier studies at Helge Helmes paintingschool and with Bizzie Høyer.
Painted 1931 his first abstract painting. Travels to Berlin together with Ejler Bille,
and sees there an exhibition of Kandinsky as well as works by german expressionists.
1933
Début at \\\"The Artists Autumnexhibition\\\" by an abstract painting.
1934
Exhibits with the group \\\"Linien\\\" among other things ten paintings with the title in common
\\\"the mystery of Eroticism\\\". Editor of the magazine \\\"Linien\\\" together with Ejler Bille and
Vilhelm Bjerke Petersen.
1936-37
Guest at Grønningen. (And in 1948-54).
1937
Travels to Paris together with other danish abstract artists to prepare a bigger exhibition in
Copenhagen for Linien. Meets in Paris several of the most important surrealistic and abstract
artists, such as Yves Tanguy and Max Ernst.
1938-39
Guest at the Corner- and Høstexhibition, member 1940-42.
1941
Participates in the editing of the magazine Aarstiderne (the Seasons).
1944
Creates sceneries for Ramuz/Stravinskys \\\"the Story of a Soldier\\\" at the Royal Danish Theatre.
Creates a, now lost, moveable composition for exhibition on the Museum of Applied Art
(filmed by Albert Mertz). Member of Grønningen till 1953, then a guest in 1957 and 1970,
member again 1976-79.
Creates a wall- and ceiling decoration in Ungdomsgården (a youth centre) in Husum, Denmark.
1945-47
Married to the writer Sonja Hauberg.
1946
Creates sceneries for H.C.Andersen/Stravinskys \\\"the Nigthingale\\\" at The Royal Danish Theatre.
Awarded with the Edvard Munch-prize.
1947
Lives in Paris untill 1964. Resides at first in the Parisien suburb Suresnes together with amongs others
Robert Jacobsen. Participate from this year regularly in group- and separate-exhibitions at
an international level. Takes part in \\\"Prise de Terre\\\" at the Galerie Breteau in Paris.
1948
From 1948 Salon des réalités Nouvelles, Paris and Galerie Denise René, Paris.
Exhibits together with Robert Jacobsen in Kunstforeningen, Copenhagen.
Paticipates in the Bienale in Venezia.
Groupexhibition in the Art Academy in Stockholm. Spends during the summer two weeks in
Solsidan outside Stockholm (in a pension for elderly ladies), where he carries out about 20
paintings.
1949
Awarded by the Eckersberg-medal.
From this year on at the Salon de Mai, Paris.
1950
Participate in the organization of a Kandinsky-exhibition in Scandinavia and the exhibition Klar
Form in Copenhagen and Stockholm in 1951.
Awarded with the Kandinsky-prize.
First stayings in Southfrance and Italy.
Participates in the exhibition Klar Form (with Léger, Poliakoff, Magnelli, Vasarely, Jacobsen,
Mortensen and others) in Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Liége.
Bienale in Menton. Exhibitions in France and England.
Work in Tamaris, France, paints about 30 paintings.
1952
Creates the first tapestries in co-operation with Atelier Tabard Freres et Sœurs, Aubusson, France.
1953-54
Travelling-exhibition \\\"Europe Art\\\", Denmark.
1953
Stays in Montpeyroux (Puy de Dôme). Several inkdrawings.
Take part in a travellingexhibition of tapestries in USA. Exhibitions in Paris, Hamburg and Rome.
1954
Stays in Vaison-la-Romaine. Inkdrawings and paintings.
Participates in exhibitions in France, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Brazil, Denmark etc.
Represented in the Elise Johansen collection, the States Museum of Art, Copenhagen.
1955
Works in Cormeilles, Normandy. (Paints f.ex. \\\"Opus Normandie\\\" and \\\"Opus Rouen\\\").
Creates \\\"Composition\\\" 130x800cm, tapestry wowen at Tabard\\\'s in Aubusson for Maribo High School
in Denmark.
Separateexhibitions at Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, at Kunstforeningen in Copenhagen and at
Galleri Samlaren, Stockholm. Participates at Documenta I in Kassel and the Bienale in Menton.
Exhibits furthermore in Venezia, Belgium, Italy, USA etc.
1956
Exhibits at Konkret Realism (with Robert Jacobsen and Olle Baertling) at Liljevalch\\\'s Konsthall, Stockholm.
The preface for Mortensen\\\'s works is by Pontus Hultén.
Exhibition of Tapestrys in Rio de Janeiro and Yverdon, Switzerland.
1957
Stays in Hennequeville, Normandy. Works at a serial of pictures (120 gouaches) at the theme
from Kandinsky\\\'s scenework \\\"Der Gelbe Klang\\\".
Travels to Spain. Exhibitions: \\\"Comparaisons\\\" Musée d\\\'Art Moderne, Paris, in Yogoslavia etc.
1958
First trip to Corsica. Participates at the exhibitions \\\"50 ans d\\\'Art Moderne\\\", Brussels; Salon de Mai
and Réalités Nouvelles, Paris.
Separate exhibitions at Aarhus Artmuseum, Denmark and Galleri Samleren, Stockholm.
Louisiana, Denmark: Big collection such as: \\\"Opus Normandie\\\" 1956 (oilpainting 130x910cm).
1959
Publishes an album (silk-screen printing) \\\"Res et Signa\\\" with a poem by Jean Arp.
Publishes an album (silk-screen printing) \\\"Der Fünfte Gesang\\\", Galerie Der Spiegel, Editions
Denise René.
Participates at Documenta II, Kassel.
Exhibitions in Poland, Austria, England, France etc.
1960
Represents Denmark with a big, retrospective, separate exhibition at the XXXth Bienale in Venezia.
Cooperates with Jean Arp on a serial of paintings. Separate exhibition in Galerie der Spiegel,
Cologne. Participates in \\\"Art Concret\\\" in Zürich organized by Max Bill.
The exhibition \\\"Art Danois Contemporain\\\" in Belgrade, Zagreb and Ljubljana.
\\\"Antagonismes\\\", Pavillon Marsan, Louvre, Paris.
1961
The Bienale exhibition is shown in a changed form at Frederiksberg Town Hall and Liljevalch\\\'s
Konsthall, Stockholm. Member of Den Frie Udstilling until 1975 and again from 1980/81.
Creates \\\"Malgré Tout\\\" (oilpainting 200x200cm) for Aarhus Cathedral School, Denmark.
Separate exhibition \\\"Res et Signa\\\", Galerie Denise René, Paris.
\\\"Pittsburghs International\\\", USA, etc.
1962
The Union of Danish Artassociations arranges a travelling exhibition i Denmark.
Galleri Hybler in Copenhagen exhibits 22 new paintings.
Furthermore exhibitions in France, England and Switzerland.
Ejner Johanssons book about RM in the series Danish Contemporary Artists is published.
1963
\\\"Exposition européenne de la sérigraphie\\\", Paris, etc.
\\\"Vingt ans de Théätre\\\", Kunstgewerbemuseum, Zürich.
The Museum of Applied Art: \\\"Evisa\\\", Tapestry woven at Tabard\\\'s, Aubusson, France.
1964
Settles again in Denmark.
Professor at the Royal Danish Art Academy in Copenhagen until 1980.
Studio in Ejby, Kirke-Hyllinge.
Big walldecoration at Aarhus University, the students\\\' reading room (oilpainting).
Decoration at Hillerød Municipal Library, 2 big tapestries, woven after oilpaintings at
Tabard\\\'s, Aubusson, France.
Den Frie Udstilling, Copenhagen. \\\"Premio Marzotto\\\", Italy. \\\"Documenta III\\\", Kassel, Germany.
Creates collages for the album \\\"Voluspá\\\".
1965
Marries Inger Margrete Hartman, Charlotte called.
Decoration at Rødovre State School, oilpaintings I-VI 1960 (each 260x210cm).
And in the Danish Parliament, the chairman\\\'s room \\\"Handshake to Spain\\\" 1961 (oilpainting 122x190cm).
\\\"L\\\'Homme Nu\\\" separate exhibition, Galerie Hybler.
Participates in exhibitions in Yogoslavia, Israel, USA, France, Belgium etc.
In Hasselbalch\\\'s series NORD is published: Richard Mortensen: \\\"The moment of thruth\\\"
with texts by Umbro Apollonio and Ejner Johansson.
1966
\\\"The summerexhibition\\\", Galerie Hybler and Esbjerg. Exhibits in USA, France, Germany etc.
Travels to the island Rab in Yogoslavia og and performs there busy artistic activities -
30 oilpaintings including 2 portraits, about 210 collages, gouaches and drawings which are
shown in june 1967 at Musée d\\\'Art Moderne in Rijeka.
1967
Travels in january by train from Rijeka to Paris to see the big Picasso-exhibition.
Is awarded by the \\\"Prince Eugen Medal\\\", Sweden and is nominated Knight of \\\"Ordre des Arts et Lettres\\\", France.
Louisiana, Denmark exhibits it\\\'s collection of Mortensen\\\'s works.
\\\"Den Frie Udstilling\\\", Copenhagen. A series of works for the album \\\"Atelier 143, Rab, Yogoslavia\\\",
and another one for \\\"Notes de Travail, Rab, Yougoslavie\\\".
1968
Is awarded by the Thorvaldsen Medal.
Decoration in Holmen\\\'s church, Copenhagen: \\\"Suite for Norway\\\" 1968 (oilpainting in 2 parts,
each 115x195cm). Decoration in the Danish Institute for Science and Art, Rome, Italy:
\\\"3 posthumous letters to Clara Jensen\\\" (RM\\\'s mother) 1967-68 (oilpaintings, each 150x150cm).
Decoration for Trondhjems Artaassociation: \\\"Posthumous letter to Clara Jensen\\\" 1967-68 (oilpainting 150x150cm).
Decoration for Bergen Picturegallery \\\"Interactivity though dispersion and division\\\" 1966 (oilpainting 60x130cm).
\\\"Den Frie Udstilling\\\", Copenhagen. Creates a series of collages for the album \\\"Atelier 101, Rab\\\".
Separateexhibitions in Musée d\\\'Art Moderne Split and Skoplje, Yogoslavia. Receives Prix d\\\'Achat from Musée d\\\'Art Moderne, Skoplje.
\\\"Salon Comparaisons\\\", \\\"Salon Réalités Nouvelles\\\".
\\\"Richard Mortensen And his Students\\\", Glasgow, Scotland.
Travelling exhibition in Australia, Rumania, Belgium and Greenland arranged by the Danish Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Creates the first danish, non-figurative stamp (60 øre).
1968-69
Exhibits in the Artassociations in Trondhjem, Stavanger, Bergen and Oslo, Norway.
1969
Riksgalleriet Oslo \\\"Entre deux Trains\\\" 1962 (oilpainting 195x97cm).
\\\"Den Frie Udstilling\\\", Copenhagen. Creates a series of collages for the album \\\"Homère L\\\'Odyssée
XIII Chant, verse 288-330\\\". Exhibits in the Institute of Modern Art in Nürnberg: \\\"Constructive
Art: Elements and Principles\\\". And in Japan at the Danish Minstry of Cultural Affairs\\\' exhibition.
Å-exhibition, Aarhus, Ålborg and Åbenrå, Denmark. Salon d\\\'Autômne, Paris.
1970
Richard Mortensen creates, on occasion of Bergen City\\\'s 900 years jubilee the 25th of may (Norway),
a granitemosaic put into earth in Torvalmenningen.
Big retrospective exhibition at Louisiana and an exhibition at Fyens Stifts Artmuseum, Odense on
occasion of Richard Mortensen\\\'s 60 years birthday.
Guest at \\\"Grønningen\\\", Copenhagen. \\\"Den Frie Udstilling\\\", Copenhagen. Creates for this exhibition
the album \\\"Théâtre des Ciseaux\\\" (with 5 silk-screenprints), a single silk-screenprint \\\"Hommage à
Francis Picabia\\\" and an album with 12 black and white silk-screenprints \\\"12 sculptures\\\".
1971
Big retrospective exhibition at the Kunsthalle Kiel in connection with \\\"Kielerwoche\\\".
Represented in Kunsthalle Kiel by \\\"Ajaccio Marine\\\" 1969 (oilpainting 195x240cm).
1973
Decorates Aalborghallen\\\'s foyer, roomdecoration (about 650square meter).
1974
Exhibition at Roskilde Library.
1975
Exhibits at Kolding Artassociation and, together with his students, at Lyngby City library.
1976
Exhibition at Willumsen\\\'s Museum, Frederikssund, Denmark.
Grand Prix d\\\'Honneur, Rijeka, Yogoslavia.
Roomdecoration in a staircasetower at Odense Universitycenter. Decoration at the Royal Danish
Society of Sciences and Letters, Copenhagen: \\\"30th of April 1975. Joy of the victory in the East\\\"
(oilpainting 195x320cm).
1977
Exhibition at the Artpavillon, Esbjerg, Denmark together with Robert Jacobsen.
Represents Denmark at the international exhibition \\\"Belgrade 77\\\", Yogoslavia.
1978
The Danish State\\\'s Artfoundation acquires big decoration for the musichouse in Aarhus which is
inaugurated 1981: \\\"Eloge à la maison Yougoslave\\\" 1977 (oilpainting in 6 parts, each 180x180cm).
Decoration at the Niels Bohr Institute, the big lecture hall: \\\"Reveil des émigres\\\" 1977 (oilpainting 450x640cm).
1979
Is awarded by the Larsen-Stevnsprize by Den Frie Udstilling.
The Municipalities National League\\\'s College, Grenå: \\\"La Resistance\\\" 1978 (oilpainting,
doublepainting 195x320/240x195cm).
1980
Richard Mortensen\\\'s 70 years birthday is celebrated by a series of important exhibitions in
Denmark: Nordjyllands Artmuseum, Aalborg; Aarhus Artmuseum and Aarhus Artfoundation;
The Artpavillon, Esbjerg; the States Museum of Art, Copenhagen; Herning Artmuseum and a
travelling exhibition of graphic works in cooperation with the Union of Danish Artassociations.
The Artmuseum Ateneum, Helsinki, Finland: \\\"Santa Lucia\\\" 1977 (oilpainting 240x195cm).
Ny Carlsbergfoundation acquires at the exhibition at the States Museum of Art \\\"the Massacre at
My Lai\\\" 1977 (oilpainting in 3 sections 195x960cm). The painting is later donated by NCF as
a decoration to Nordsøværket.
The book \\\'Album\\\' is published by Samlerens Forlag.
1981
Honorary member of the Academy of Fine Arts.
1981-91
Exhibits with Den Frie Udstilling.
1983-84
Carries out a decoration in the East High Court, 1st. divison\\\'s foyer, big and small courtrooms,
Copenhagen. Decorates the Councilhall at Birkerød Town Hall, Denmark.
1984
Carries out \\\"the Mimertree in snow\\\" for the Artmuseum Trapholt, Kolding, Denmark
(oilpainting in 7 parts, each 180x180cm).
Separate, retrospective exhibition of drawings at the Department of Prints and Drawings, the States Museum of Art, Copenhagen.
Foreign decoration F.A.L.2. (France Art et Lettres, see also 1967).
Grand Prix d\\\'Honneur, Rijeka, Yogoslavia.
1984-85
Decorates the Theatrefoyer at Saint Annæe Gymnasium, Copenhagen.
1984-85
Participates in the exhibition \\\"De Danske\\\" in Liljevalchs Arthall\\\", Stockholm and Malmö Konsthall.
1985
The Artmuseum Trapholt celebrates Richard Mortensens 75 years birthday by 3 exhibitions.
The exhibition \\\"Paintings - a selection, 1928-85\\\" in the Artfoundation Gl. Strand, Copenhagen.
1986
Prize of honour at the graphicbienale in Frederiksstad, Norway.
Prix d\\\'Acquisition du Musée d\\\'Art Contemporain, Belgrade, Yogoslavia.
1987
Den Frie\\\'s Exhibition.
1988
Den Frie\\\'s Exhition.
The Artmuseum Trapholt\\\'s (Kolding, Denmark) new building with the Richard Mortensenroom
and \\\"the Mimertree in snow\\\" is inaugurated.
1989
Den Frie\\\'s Exhibition.
Is 2nd of june nominated Commandeur de l\\\'Ordre des Arts et Lettre de France.
Solo-exhibition at Galerie Bel’Art, Stockholm, Paintings, (preface by Pontus Hultén - 1956)
1990
Withdrew his works from Den Frie Exhibition.
Exhibition at Esbjerg Artpavillon from own collections in occasion of RM\\\'s 80 years birthday (till january \\\'91).
Special hanging on the same occasion at the States Museum of Art and at Louisiana.
2 collageexhibitions at Galerie Knud Grothe\\\'s.
\\\"The Good Hope\\\" exhibition of donation to Henie-Onstad Artcenter, Høvikodden, Norway, (hommage to William Heinesen).
1991
Den Frie\\\'s Jubilee-exhibition - 100 years.
\\\"The Good Hope\\\" exhibition of donation to Henie-Onstad Artcenter, Nordens House, Thorshavn, the Faroe Islands.
Collage- and drawingexhibition, Galleri Torso, Odense, Denmark.
Collage-exhibition Galerie Bel\\\'Art, Stockholm. Book published.
Donation of collages and drawings to Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.
1992
Galerie Der Spiegel, Collageudstiling fra Stockholm åbner d. 25.09.92
1993
Died 6th of january.
Participated at the exhibition \\\"Inferno\\\" at the States Museum of Art 4th of feb.-18th. of april.
Den Frie\\\'s Exhibition 6.th-21st. of march.
Vejle Musichall.
1994
Retrospective exhibition at the States Museum of Art/Aarhus Artmuseum.
The exhibition \\\'Det sene i livet\\\' at Glyptoteket, Copenhagen, Esbjerg Artpavillon and Herning
Artmuseum - paintings from 1992-93.

Source: http://www.belart.se/artists/richard_mortensen/