Aage Bertelsen (1873-1945) stands as a remarkable figure in Danish history, a man whose life seamlessly blended the rigors of artistic creation with the challenges of polar exploration and the profound courage of humanitarian action. While perhaps not as globally renowned as some of his Danish artistic contemporaries, Bertelsen's contributions in each of these fields were significant, painting a portrait of an individual driven by a keen observational eye, a resilient spirit, and a deep sense of moral responsibility. His legacy is multifaceted, encompassing striking visual records of Arctic landscapes, a commitment to his fellow human beings during times of crisis, and an active participation in the Danish art scene of his era.
Early Life and Artistic Inclinations
Born in Denmark in 1873, Aage Bertelsen came of age during a vibrant period in Danish art. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the flourishing of movements like the Skagen Painters, who captured the unique light and life of Denmark's northern coast, and the emergence of Symbolism and early Modernism. While specific details of Bertelsen's earliest artistic training are not extensively documented in the provided summary, it's clear he developed considerable skill as a painter. It's plausible he received formal instruction, perhaps at an institution like the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts or through private tutelage, common paths for aspiring artists of his time.
One connection mentioned is to Zahrtmanns Malerskole, through a teacher named Agnes Lundgaard. Kristian Zahrtmann's school was a significant alternative to the Academy, known for fostering a more independent and often coloristically bold approach. If Bertelsen had connections there, it would have exposed him to a dynamic environment that encouraged individual expression. Artists like Zahrtmann himself, with his historical and often provocative paintings, shaped a generation. The artistic air was thick with innovation and a re-evaluation of national identity through landscape and genre painting, with figures like L.A. Ring offering poignant depictions of rural life, and Vilhelm Hammershøi creating his iconic, enigmatic interiors. Bertelsen would have been aware of, and likely influenced by, this rich artistic milieu.
The Call of the Arctic: The Danmark Expedition
A pivotal chapter in Bertelsen's life and artistic career was his participation in the Danmark Expedition (Danmarksekspeditionen) from 1906 to 1908. This ambitious Danish expedition, led by Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen, aimed to map the uncharted northeastern coast of Greenland. Bertelsen's role was multifaceted; he served as the chief engineer and assistant meteorologist, but crucially for art history, he was also tasked with creating a visual and historical record of the expedition. This involved producing numerous sketches and documentary paintings.
The conditions under which Bertelsen worked were extraordinarily challenging. The extreme cold of the Greenlandic environment posed immense difficulties for an oil painter. Materials would freeze, and the physical act of painting outdoors required immense fortitude. It's noted that due to the cold, he could sometimes only manage brushstrokes of no more than three centimeters at a time. This constraint, born of necessity, likely influenced the texture and application in his Arctic works, perhaps lending them a particular immediacy or fragmented quality.
His paintings from this period were not merely aesthetic exercises; they were vital documents. He was responsible for mapping the North Gold Land (Nordgrønland) coast and the waters of Peary Land. His artistic output, therefore, served a scientific and cartographic purpose alongside its artistic merit. He worked alongside Ivar Weinschenk, another painter and photographer on the expedition, and their collective efforts provided an invaluable visual archive of these remote and then-unknown territories. Bertelsen's portrait of Weinschenk, titled "Danmark Expedition's Chief Engineer and Assistant Meteorologist Ivar Weinschenk" (1907-1908), an oil on canvas measuring 52 x 40 cm, stands as a testament to their shared experience and Bertelsen's skill in portraiture even under duress.
Artistic Style and Thematic Focus
Aage Bertelsen's artistic style, particularly evident in his expedition works, leaned towards Realism. His primary objective in Greenland was to accurately depict the landscapes, the conditions, and the human endeavor involved in the exploration. The subjects were the stark, majestic, and often unforgiving Arctic environments – ice floes, coastlines, and the subtle interplay of light on snow and water.
His paintings served as a visual diary, capturing moments of discovery and the daily realities of life on such an arduous journey. The historical recording function was paramount. These were not romanticized visions in the vein of earlier landscape traditions but rather direct, observational pieces. The limitations imposed by the environment – the cold affecting paint consistency and the ability to work for extended periods – would have necessitated a pragmatic and efficient approach to capturing scenes. This practical approach, however, does not detract from the atmospheric quality his works could achieve, conveying the immense scale and desolate beauty of the Arctic.
Beyond the expedition, his broader artistic output would have engaged with the prevailing themes and styles in Denmark, though his Arctic experiences undoubtedly provided a unique and defining element to his oeuvre. The tradition of landscape painting was strong in Denmark, with artists like Johannes Larsen and Fritz Syberg of the Fynboerne (Funen Painters) group, for example, focusing on the Danish countryside with a robust, naturalistic approach. Bertelsen's landscapes, while geographically distinct, shared this commitment to capturing the essence of a specific place.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Bertelsen's work, particularly that stemming from the Danmark Expedition, received notable attention. In 1908, his paintings were exhibited in Copenhagen at "Den Frie Udstilling" (The Free Exhibition), an important artist-run alternative to the established Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. This venue was known for showcasing more progressive and independent artists. The exposure at Den Frie Udstilling suggests his work was well-regarded within the Danish art community.
Following the Copenhagen show, the exhibition traveled to other Danish cities, including Aarhus and Odense, further disseminating his visual accounts of Greenland. The international significance of the expedition and its artistic records was recognized when the works were subsequently shown in Berlin in 1909 and then in London in 1910, both at the respective Royal Geographical Societies. These exhibitions underscored the scientific and exploratory value of his art, placing it on an international stage. His works were also collected by institutions such as the Royal Geographical Society, cementing their status as important historical and artistic documents.
Collaboration and Artistic Community
Bertelsen was an active participant in the Danish art world beyond his expeditionary fame. A significant collaboration was with the artist Ebba Carstensen. Together, in 1924, they co-founded "Kunst for Varer" (Art for Goods) in Copenhagen. This organization was an innovative art exchange group, suggesting a communal and perhaps pragmatic approach to supporting artists and disseminating art during a period that saw economic fluctuations. Such initiatives highlight a desire to create alternative structures for artists to thrive.
His connection with Zahrtmanns Malerskole, even if indirect through a teacher like Agnes Lundgaard, placed him within a network of artists who were often pushing boundaries. The Danish art scene was relatively close-knit, and artists like P.S. Krøyer and Michael Ancher, though primarily associated with the earlier Skagen period, were still influential figures whose work emphasized naturalism and plein air painting, traditions that Bertelsen, in his own way, continued in the extreme environment of Greenland. Other contemporaries like Peter Hansen, also part of the Fynboerne group, shared a commitment to depicting their environment with honesty and directness.
A Man of Courage: Resistance During World War II
Beyond his artistic and exploratory achievements, Aage Bertelsen demonstrated extraordinary courage and moral conviction during one of history's darkest chapters. During the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II, Bertelsen, alongside his wife Gerda, became a pivotal figure in the Danish resistance. They led the Lyngby group, an organization dedicated to rescuing Danish Jews from persecution and deportation.
In October 1943, when the Nazis moved to round up Denmark's Jewish population, Bertelsen and his network sprang into action. He worked tirelessly, often in collaboration with individuals like David Sompolinsky, to organize escape routes. These efforts involved sheltering Jewish individuals and families, coordinating with sympathetic hospital staff to release Jewish patients, and arranging for fishing boats to smuggle them across the Øresund Strait to safety in neutral Sweden. Hundreds of lives were saved due to the bravery and resourcefulness of Bertelsen and his group.
His actions were undertaken at immense personal risk. He was described as energetic, resourceful, and remarkably calm under pressure, working day and night, completely disregarding his own safety. This period of his life reveals a profound humanitarianism, a commitment to justice and compassion that transcended his other notable accomplishments. His autobiographical work, "October '43," published later, provided a firsthand account of these harrowing and heroic events, serving as both a personal testimony and an important historical document of the Danish rescue efforts.
Later Life, Peace Advocacy, and Legacy
The experiences of the war, coupled perhaps with his earlier exposure to the raw and often indifferent power of nature in the Arctic, seem to have solidified in Bertelsen a commitment to peace. In his later years, he became known as a peace educator. He reportedly lived by the motto, "Make good use of your time," a principle he clearly embodied throughout his multifaceted life. His efforts in peace education, particularly in post-war Denmark, contributed to fostering dialogue and understanding.
Aage Bertelsen passed away in 1945, the same year World War II ended. His legacy is a composite of his diverse contributions. As an artist, he left behind a unique body of work, especially his Greenland paintings, which offer a window into a specific moment of exploration and the challenges of artistic creation in extreme environments. "The Winter Painter. Snow Landscape With The Painter Aage Bertelsen At His Work," an oil painting depicting him at his craft, further emphasizes this dedication.
As an explorer and documentarian, his contributions to the Danmark Expedition were invaluable. As a humanitarian, his bravery during the Holocaust stands as an inspiring example of moral courage. He was a man who not only observed and depicted the world but actively sought to make it a better, more just place.
It is important to distinguish Aage Bertelsen the artist and rescuer from other individuals with similar names, such as John Bertelsen (1917-1978), a Danish educator and peace activist of a later generation, to avoid confusion and appreciate the specific contributions of the artist in question.
Representative Works and Their Significance
To reiterate, some of Aage Bertelsen's key works include:
Paintings and sketches from the Danmark Expedition (1906-1908): These form the core of his artistic recognition, valued for their documentary accuracy and artistic skill in capturing the Arctic.
Portrait of Ivar Weinschenk (1907-1908): A specific example from the expedition, showcasing his portraiture skills.
"October '43" (book): While not a painting, this autobiographical account is a crucial part of his legacy, detailing his resistance work.
"The Winter Painter. Snow Landscape With The Painter Aage Bertelsen At His Work": This self-referential piece (or one depicting him) highlights his identity as an artist braving the elements.
These works, whether visual or literary, underscore the primary themes of his life: the exploration and depiction of the natural world, and a profound engagement with human experience, particularly in moments of crisis and moral testing.
Bertelsen in the Context of Danish Art
Aage Bertelsen operated within a Danish art world that was rich and varied. While the Skagen Painters like P.S. Krøyer, Michael Ancher, and Anna Ancher had established a powerful tradition of plein air naturalism, new currents were emerging. Vilhelm Hammershøi was creating his distinctive, muted, and psychologically charged interiors and cityscapes, offering a stark contrast to the more outward-looking art of many contemporaries. L.A. Ring was another significant figure, whose work blended realism with a symbolic depth in his depictions of Danish rural life and landscapes.
The Fynboerne (Funen Painters), including Fritz Syberg, Peter Hansen, and Johannes Larsen, were contemporaries who, like Bertelsen in his Greenlandic context, were deeply engaged with depicting their local environment with a direct, often earthy realism. While Bertelsen's subject matter was more exotic due to his expeditionary work, the underlying commitment to observational truth and the challenges of painting en plein air (albeit in extreme conditions) connects him to these broader trends in Danish art. His teacher, Kristian Zahrtmann, was himself a pivotal figure, known for his vibrant use of color and historical subjects, and his school fostered many important Danish artists of the early 20th century. Bertelsen's work, therefore, can be seen as part of this lineage, yet distinguished by his unique experiences as an explorer-artist.
Conclusion
Aage Bertelsen's life (1873-1945) was one of remarkable breadth and depth. He was an artist who faced the extreme challenges of the Arctic to bring back visual records of then-unknown lands, contributing significantly to both art and science. He was an active member of the Danish artistic community, co-founding initiatives and exhibiting his work alongside notable contemporaries. And, perhaps most enduringly, he was a man of immense courage and compassion, risking his life to save hundreds during the Holocaust. His paintings, writings, and the legacy of his actions ensure that Aage Bertelsen is remembered not just as a Danish artist, but as a significant historical figure whose life exemplified the powerful intersection of art, adventure, and profound humanity. His story continues to resonate, reminding us of the diverse ways in which an individual can contribute to our understanding of the world and the betterment of a common humanity.
