Valdemar Kornerup (1865-1924) was a Danish painter whose life and career unfolded during a period of significant artistic and social change in Denmark and across Europe. While his name is sometimes linked with the heroic age of Arctic exploration due to a notable painting by another artist depicting a relative, Valdemar Kornerup's own artistic contributions primarily lay in different realms, particularly genre scenes and intimate portrayals of Danish life. Understanding his work requires situating him within the rich tapestry of late 19th and early 20th-century Danish art, a scene vibrant with the legacy of a Golden Age, the impact of Realism and Naturalism, and the burgeoning currents of Symbolism and early Modernism.
The Complex Legacy of the Kornerup Name in Art and Exploration
It is essential at the outset to address a point of potential confusion surrounding the name Kornerup in Danish art and exploration history. The celebrated painting, Kornerup on Ice, which vividly depicts the perils and grandeur of a Greenland expedition, was not painted by Valdemar Kornerup, nor does it primarily feature him. This iconic work was created by the artist J.E.C. Rasmussen (Jens Erik Carl Rasmussen, 1841-1893), a painter renowned for his maritime and Greenlandic scenes.
The figure in Rasmussen's painting, often referred to as "Kornerup," is Andreas Nicolaus Kornerup (1857-1881), a geologist and explorer who was a relative of Valdemar. Andreas Kornerup participated in several expeditions to Greenland, including a significant one in 1878-1879. His detailed sketches and watercolors made during these expeditions provided invaluable scientific data and visual records of the then largely unknown landscapes. Tragically, Andreas Kornerup's promising career was cut short; he died young, at the age of 24, reportedly from tuberculosis, a condition likely exacerbated by the harsh conditions of his expeditions. J.E.C. Rasmussen's painting was inspired by Andreas Kornerup's sketches and experiences, immortalizing the spirit of Danish Arctic exploration. This painting was exhibited at the prestigious Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen and had a considerable impact, influencing other artists and shaping public perception of the Arctic.
Valdemar Kornerup, born in 1865, would have been a child during Andreas's major expeditions. While the family connection and the fame of Rasmussen's painting might have cast a long shadow or created certain associations, Valdemar's own artistic path diverged significantly from the direct depiction of polar exploration.
Valdemar Kornerup: Life and Artistic Pursuits
Valdemar Kornerup's artistic career spanned the late 19th century into the first quarter of the 20th century. Information available points to him being an active painter, focusing on subjects that were popular and resonated with the Danish public of his time. Unlike the dramatic, often perilous, themes of Arctic exploration that J.E.C. Rasmussen and others captured, Valdemar Kornerup's known works suggest a preference for more intimate and familiar scenes.
One of his documented paintings is By the Christmas tree (also referred to as Two small children plunder the Christmas tree), dated 1911. This oil painting, measuring 67 x 75 cm, depicts a charming domestic scene: two young children engrossed in the delights of a Christmas tree. Such subjects – children, family life, festive occasions – were staples of genre painting, a category that enjoyed considerable popularity. These works often aimed to evoke warmth, nostalgia, and the virtues of home and family, appealing to the bourgeois sensibilities of the era.
The style of such a painting would likely align with the prevailing trends in Danish art that valued careful observation, a degree of realism, and often a sentimental or anecdotal quality. Artists like Viggo Johansen (1851-1935), one of the Skagen Painters, excelled in capturing intimate family scenes and the play of light in domestic interiors, and Valdemar Kornerup's work in this vein would have been part of this broader artistic current.
Artistic Style and Thematic Focus
Based on the description of By the Christmas tree, Valdemar Kornerup's style likely emphasized narrative clarity and emotional accessibility. The depiction of children, a recurring theme in the work of many artists of the period, allowed for explorations of innocence, joy, and the quiet dramas of everyday life. His approach might have incorporated elements of the Naturalism that had taken root in Danish art, focusing on truthful representation, while also imbuing his scenes with a certain charm and warmth characteristic of genre painting.
While the provided information mentions compositional characteristics like single-point perspective and the depiction of desolate landscapes, these seem more directly applicable to Andreas Kornerup's expeditionary sketches or J.E.C. Rasmussen's interpretation of them in Kornerup on Ice. For Valdemar Kornerup's genre scenes, the compositional strategies would likely have been different, focusing on creating balanced and engaging interior spaces, drawing the viewer's eye to the human figures and their interactions. The play of light, perhaps from a window or the glow of Christmas lights, would have been a key element in creating mood and atmosphere.
It is plausible that Kornerup, like many Danish artists of his generation, received his training at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen or through private tutelage. The Academy, under figures like Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783-1853) in an earlier era, had established a strong tradition of observational drawing and painting, which continued to influence subsequent generations.
The Danish Art Scene: A Rich Context
Valdemar Kornerup worked within a dynamic Danish art world. The late 19th century saw the towering influence of the Skagen Painters, a colony of artists including P.S. Krøyer (1851-1909), Michael Ancher (1849-1927), Anna Ancher (1859-1935), Christian Krohg (1852-1925, though primarily Norwegian, he was influential in Scandinavia), and the previously mentioned Viggo Johansen. They were celebrated for their plein-air paintings, capturing the unique light of Skagen and the lives of the local fishing communities, as well as their own social gatherings.
Simultaneously, artists in Copenhagen and other parts of Denmark were exploring different paths. Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916), a contemporary of Valdemar Kornerup, developed a highly distinctive and introspective style, known for his muted palettes, enigmatic interiors, and solitary figures. His work represented a more Symbolist and psychologically charged approach.
The legacy of the Danish Golden Age (roughly the first half of the 19th century) also lingered, with artists like Christen Købke (1810-1848), Johan Thomas Lundbye (1818-1848), and Martinus Rørbye (1803-1848) still revered for their sensitive portrayals of Danish landscapes and everyday life. Their emphasis on national identity and the beauty of the local environment found echoes in later National Romantic currents.
Other notable figures in Danish art around this time included Theodor Philipsen (1840-1920), a pioneer of Danish Impressionism, and Laurits Andersen Ring (L.A. Ring, 1854-1933), whose work blended Realism with Symbolism, often depicting rural life with a profound sense of social awareness and psychological depth. Carl Bloch (1834-1890) was a prominent historical and religious painter, while Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann (1819-1881), though slightly earlier, had brought an international flair to Danish art.
Exploration Imagery in Danish Art
While Valdemar Kornerup himself may not have focused on exploration themes, the subject was undeniably potent in the Danish imagination, particularly concerning Greenland, a Danish territory. J.E.C. Rasmussen was a key figure in this genre, but others also contributed. Harald Moltke (1871-1960), though slightly later than Andreas Kornerup's expeditions, was another artist who traveled to Greenland and documented its landscapes and people, often accompanying explorers like Knud Rasmussen (no direct relation to J.E.C. Rasmussen).
The allure of the Arctic, with its stark beauty, inherent dangers, and sense of the unknown, provided dramatic material for artists. These images served not only as visual records but also contributed to a sense of national pride and adventure. The heroism attributed to explorers like Andreas Kornerup resonated with a public fascinated by scientific discovery and the expansion of geographical knowledge. The painting Kornerup on Ice became a touchstone for this fascination, embodying the courage and resilience required to confront such an unforgiving environment.
The "M. Valdemar" Literary Connection: A Curious Aside
The provided information also mentions a connection between the name Valdemar and Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story, "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar." This story, first published in 1845, is a work of gothic horror centered on a man, M. Valdemar, who is mesmerized at the point of death, leading to grotesque and terrifying consequences.
It is important to note that this is a literary, fictional connection. There is no evidence to suggest that Poe's character was based on any real individual named Valdemar Kornerup, especially given the timeline (Valdemar Kornerup the artist was born two decades after the story's publication). The name "Valdemar" is a traditional Danish and Scandinavian royal name with a long history. Poe likely chose it for its somewhat exotic and distinguished sound, suitable for his macabre tale. While an interesting coincidence of names, this literary "M. Valdemar" is distinct from the artistic and exploratory legacies of the Kornerup family. The story itself, however, was highly influential and is considered a precursor to themes found in later horror and science fiction, including early zombie narratives.
Historical Assessment and Artistic Influence
Assessing Valdemar Kornerup's specific influence is challenging without a more extensive catalogue of his works and their reception. As a painter of genre scenes like By the Christmas tree, he would have contributed to a popular and accessible form of art that found a ready audience. Such works played a role in shaping cultural values and providing relatable images of Danish life.
The criticism mentioned in the initial information – that "his certain works in imitation on existence insufficient, failed to completely capture the original work's essence" – is somewhat vague. If this refers to copies of other artists' works, it was a common practice for training and study. If it refers to his original compositions, it might suggest that some critics found his work derivative or lacking in profound originality compared to, say, the groundbreaking innovations of the Skagen Painters or the unique vision of Hammershøi. However, not every artist is a radical innovator; many contribute significantly by working skillfully within established traditions and reflecting the tastes and values of their time.
Valdemar Kornerup's legacy is perhaps twofold. Firstly, as an individual artist who created works like By the Christmas tree, contributing to the tradition of Danish genre painting. Secondly, through his family name, he is indirectly linked to the more dramatic and widely recognized narrative of Arctic exploration, largely due to Andreas Kornerup's endeavors and J.E.C. Rasmussen's powerful visual interpretation.
Artists like Valdemar Kornerup are crucial for a full understanding of an artistic era. While giants like P.S. Krøyer or Vilhelm Hammershøi might dominate the historical narrative, painters who catered to contemporary tastes with well-crafted, appealing scenes formed the bedrock of the art market and cultural life. They reflected and reinforced societal norms and aesthetic preferences, providing a window into the everyday sensibilities of their time. His contemporaries included a wide spectrum of talent, from the internationally renowned Krøyer and Hammershøi to highly respected national figures like L.A. Ring, Theodor Philipsen, and Viggo Johansen, as well as artists who specialized in particular genres, such as J.E.C. Rasmussen with his maritime and Arctic scenes, or Carl Bloch with his historical paintings. Even artists like Jens Ferdinand Willumsen (1863-1958), who pushed into more avant-garde territory with Symbolism and Expressionism, were part of this rich milieu.
Conclusion: Valdemar Kornerup in Perspective
Valdemar Kornerup (1865-1924) remains a figure who, while perhaps not achieving the foremost fame of some of his Danish contemporaries, contributed to the artistic landscape of his time. His work, exemplified by pieces like By the Christmas tree, suggests an artist engaged with the relatable themes of family and daily life, rendered in a style that was likely accessible and appreciated by the Danish public.
He practiced his art during a period when Danish painting was diverse and vibrant, with artists exploring Realism, Naturalism, Impressionism, Symbolism, and the enduring appeal of National Romanticism. While the more dramatic narrative of Arctic exploration is strongly associated with the Kornerup name through his relative Andreas and the art of J.E.C. Rasmussen, Valdemar Kornerup's own artistic path appears to have been focused on the quieter, more intimate aspects of Danish life. His paintings offer a glimpse into the cultural fabric of Denmark at the turn of the 20th century, reflecting the values and aesthetic preferences of a society navigating the transition from traditional modes of representation to the emerging currents of modern art. Further research into his complete oeuvre would undoubtedly provide a more nuanced understanding of his specific contributions and his place within the distinguished lineage of Danish painters.
