KNUD HILKIER

(Danish, 1884-1953)

ITALIAN PIAZZA WITH A VIEW OF THE ALPS

Oil on Canvas

25¾ x 21¾ Inches

Signed Lower Right, 'K. L. Hilkier'

 

A lyrical Expressionist oil showing women fetching water from a fountain in the sunny piazza of a northern Italian town, with a view beyond towards the Alps rising in the distance. A powerful and vibrant work by this prominent member of the Bornholm School.

 

Born in Copenhagen, Knud Hilkier first studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen (1901-7). He was the recipient of numerous prestigious scholarships including the Hielmstierne-Rosencrone (1913); Raben-Levetzau (1914 and 1919); the Ronge Award (1915) and the Akkadian Scholarship (1916) which allowed him to further his studies in Spain and Italy and, most importantly, to make frequent visits to Paris. In Paris, he was influenced by the prevailing Impressionist style which caused his palette to lighten and his brushwork to become looser and more expressive. His subsequent studies with Sigurd Swane, Denmark's foremost champion of Fauvism, led him to further loosen his brushwork and significantly brighten his palette. From 1905, Hilkier exhibited internationally with success including at the Artist's Fall exhibition (KE 1905, 1908-10, 1912-14). In 1933, he was elected to membership of the jury of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and served in this position until 1937. In 1935, he was also appointed to the jury of the Charlottenborg Exhibition. The artist's works are held in private and public collections including the permanent collections of the Danish National Academy in Oslo, the North Jutland Art Museum, the Aarhus Art Museum and Nordic Art Museum among others.

 

Reference:

21.11.1915; Ill. Time. 24.11.1918 (S. Clod Svensson); night time 7.10.1925 (Th. Faaborg); 20.11.1944 (J. Zibrandtsen); extra 16.3.1931; 17.10.1934 (interv.); Berl. Time. 22.10.1934 (K. Flor); 17.11.1944 (interview); Day. New 28/10/1934; 20.11.1934 (interv.); B.T. 20.12.1934 (interview); Aalborg County Time. 20.12.1936; The Collector 1934, 131-34; Chr. Rimestad: K.O. Hilkier, 1937; Pole. 12.11.1944 (interview); Time. Women, 12, 1947; Chr. F. Beck in: Da. Art 90, 1950; Pole. 25.10.1953 (obituary); Horsens Folkebl. 28.9.65. Letters (Det kkl. Bibl.).