Carl Mortensen

Laurits Carl Nicholas Mortensen was a sculptor. He was born 23.02.1861 in Copenhagen and died 30.01.1945 in Hell/Ghent. His parents were the worker Jens Mortensen and Emma Larsine Christine Knudsen. On 14.10.1887 Mortensen married Ida Amalie Hafvermann in Copenhagen. She was born 26.01.1862 in Copenhagen and died 29.01.1943 in Hell.

Carl Mortensen was a stable, naturalistic sculptor and should be seen in line with Ludvig Brandstrup and Carl Bonnesen. He also concentrated on depicting sport scenes. Mortenson was also active in the arts porcelain, for example with modeling of animal figures. He was already in 1887 been employed at The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain at Arnold Krog´s department, where he participated in the development of the new underglaze painting, and in 1894-95 he was sent to St. Petersburg following C.F. Liisberg to teach underglaze painting at the imperial factory. Mortensen also carried out a number of major decoration projects, including stucco ceilings to Christiansborg Castle. He had a strong professional commitment and he was co-founder of Danish Sculpture Association.

Mortensen was tought In carver apprenticeship by Hans Berg in 1875/1880; Technical Arts Academy in Copenhagen 1879-86.

He was employed at the Royal. Porcelain Factory as underglaze painter from 1887-1901.

During his life he traveled to Germany, Italy and Austria in 1892; Sankt Petersburg from winter 1894 to 95; Paris 1900; Italy (Florence and Rome) 1930s.

Main information source: Kunstindex Danmark & Weilbachs Kunstnerleksikon