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20th Century European Art
20th Century Overview

European Art Before World War I Ludwig Karsten

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Ludwig Peter Karsten

born: Kristiania (near Oslo), Denmark (now Norway); 8 May 1876
died: Paris, France; 19 October 1926

Karsten was born in Denmark in a small town called Kristiania near Oslo, but he became a part of the bohemian society in Europe. He traveled to Rome, München (Germany), Madrid and Paris. For many years he lived in Copenhagen and later in Skagen (Denmark), which at that time was the meeting place for many artists around Europe.

Christian Krogh once said that he was the Norwegian's most modern painter. Even Edvard Munch believed that Karsten was a greater colorist than he was. He was the painter's painter, as the press said, and he was often mentioned in the same breath as Munch and Cezanne. Karsten was not theorist, but used his emotions to find the right color and expression to his paintings. If he was asked about the meaning of his paintings, his answer might have been something like this: "My pictures say what I have seen. And with that, neither I nor my paintings have any more to say. I am a painter not a speaker. Do you understand? If you want to interview someone then go to my paintings! If you don't get the answer there, it is your own fault"

--Jens Peter

Before 1900

From the Start of the Century to the End of World War I

After Word War I

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20th Century European Art
20th Century Overview