Monday, 7 January 2013

Carl Heinrich Bloch Danish Artist

By William M. Martin


You might not be aware of Carl Heinrich Bloch, but you have likely seen examples of his art work. He was a Danish artist born in Copenhagen where he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Art. He produced a number of collections depicting scenes from the life of Christ from the New Testament. Some of his work is on display at the University of Copenhagen and others are in chapels throughout Denmark and Sweden.

After departing Copenhagen and all through his early career Bloch journeyed to Italy, France and Holland and went on with his studies. During this time he used Rome as his base of operations. There he established his academic style of painting and created a number of fine paintings. His Italian paintings created a great interest in him and he shot to popularity during this time period.

While in Holland, Bloch came in contact with the work of Dutch master Rembrandt Van Rijn. Rembrandt is known to have influenced numerous other artists, which made a profound impact on Bloch. He became the basis for how Bloch decided to compose a great deal of his future work.

Bloch's first success was his exhibition of "Prometheus Unbound" but his most famous paintings are taken straight from bible verses. It is said that these paintings appear to come to life in their representation of moments from the Bible. Included in these are scenes painted for the University of Copenhagen ceremony hall. The University possesses the complete works he utilized to help compose these paintings.

One more reason why Carl Heinrich Bloch is widely known is because of the colors and excellence of the art that he created. The range of scenes, the appearance, and feel of his biblical scenes allow you to be drawn into each piece. His art capable of producing a great emotional reaction within the viewer. Carl Heinrich Bloch?s art is so realistic it is often referred to as living works of art.

In 1865 he was commissioned to create 23 painting depicting the life of Christ for the Chapel at Frederiksborg Palace. These were to replace prior works destroyed by fire. He worked tirelessly on these for the next fourteen years and these are his legacy to the art world. The majority of the paintings are taken straight from the New Testament. "The Woman at the Well", "Jesus Tempted", and "Christ in Gethsemane" are just some of the paintings made for this project.

Today Bloch is well known around the world mainly through the media of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They spread the Mormon gospel through television advertising, print ads, along with other types of advertising. Due to its quality, beauty and accurate depiction of Bible scenes Bloch's artwork has been used in a great many of their commercials and in their literature. Those who have received their literature or seen a print ad might not have known who created the work, but they recognize it immediately.




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