| Abstrakt: |
Henrik Sørensen and Gothenburg patrons Throughout his life the Norwegian painter Henrik Sørensen (1882–1962) maintained close ties with Sweden, its artists and art milieu. He held exhibitions there himself and arranged for his Swedish colleagues to exhibit in Norway and to take part in Scandinavian exhibitions as well. He was also active in arranging exhibitions in Sweden for Norwegian artists. He played an important role in establishing “Göteborgarne”, a group with which he was closely associated. In 1907 Henrik Sørensen came into contact with a couple, Charlotte and Otto Mannheimer, patrons of art in the city of Gothenburg. The occasion was an exhibition in which he and his Swedish friend, the artist Birger Simonsson, participated. This meeting developed into a friendship destined to lead to many consequences. Sørensen encouraged Charlotte to resume her painting which she had put aside because of dedication to her family. He influenced her purchases of paintings for herself and for the Gothenburg Art Gallery and introduced the couple to his Norwegian friends. The unique contact which existed between Norwegian and Swedish painters during this period was due to his efforts. Another patron of the arts in Gothenburg with whom Sørensen became friends was Conrad M. Pineus. During the years 1915–20 Pineus became one of the largest collectors of French and Scandinavian art in Sweden, and it was due to Sørensen that he began to collect systematically. Sørensen advised him and was often responsible for his acquisitions. Through his connections and active engagement, Sørensen greatly influenced cultural life in Gothenburg. Gradually his interest was diverted more and more toward conditions in his own country. His ensuing dominant position in the art policies of Norway was very probably made possible by his experience and involvement in Gothenburg in the period around World War I. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
