Gerda Johanne Bengtsson (6 February 1900– 13 December 1995) was a Danish textile artist who specialized in embroidery. Initially inspired by the stylized animals and plants used in medieval needlework, she became an outstanding designer who could transform depictions of wild flowers into simple but effective embroidery patterns. In 1980, she published the popular Danish Floral Charted Designs.[1][2]
Born on 6 February 1900 in the Copenhagen district of Frederiksberg, Gerda Johanna Bengtson was the daughter of two schoolteachers: Svend Otto Bengtsson (1871–1956) and Elise Marie Lassen (1873–1956). Showing an early interest in drawing, she was supported in her artistic ambitions by both her parents. After attending Frederiksberg Technical School, she studied painting at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1919–24) under Gotfred Rode, Sigurd Wandel and, during her final year, the sculptor Einar Utzon-Frank. Of particular importance was the instruction she received in textile art from Astrid Holm who introduced her to tapestry work.[3]
Careeredit
Bengtsson later travelled to Paris on an extended study trip where she carefully studied the floral decorations on tapestries from the Middle Ages in the Musée de Cluny. These served as an inspiration for her many colourful cross-stitch patterns representing wild flowers, herbs and other plants. Her early work also reflects the stitch-work techniques practised by Kristiane Konstantin-Hansen and Johanne Bindesbøll. She soon moved from tapestry and weaving to the more straightforward cross-stitch approach, often basing her work on classical designs or the large tablecloths embroidered by the artist Else Johnsen (1898–1957). She was particularly adept at creating cross-stitch patterns for a wide range of applications, including tablecloths, bed covers, serviettes, tea cosies and bell pulls. Making use of her own colour-identification system, these easy-to-use patterns could be followed by women without special training.[4][3]
From 1939, Bengtsson taught at the Selskabet til Haandarbejdets Fremme establishment which also published her patterns. Lifelong collaboration followed. While she is remembered above all for her floral designs, she also produced other designs with figures and birds. Examples of her work can be seen in several Danish museums, especially the Danish Museum of Art & Design. Bengtsson was awarded a gold medal in 1951 at the Milan Triennial IX. Her patterns and publications have become popular not only in Denmark but in many other countries, especially the United States. They have been translated into several languages.[4][3]
Gerda Bengtsson died in Frederiksberg on 13 December 1995.[3] She is buried in Hellebæk Cemetery.[5]
^ abAarestrup, Elin (1984). "Gerda Bengtsson" (in Danish). Gyldendal: Dansk Biografisk Leksikon. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
^"Gerda Johanne Bengtsson" (in Danish). Gravsted. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
^"Bengtsson, Gerda". OCLC: WorldCat Identities. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
December 15, 2023
gerda, bengtsson, gerda, johanne, bengtsson, february, 1900, december, 1995, danish, textile, artist, specialized, embroidery, initially, inspired, stylized, animals, plants, used, medieval, needlework, became, outstanding, designer, could, transform, depictio. Gerda Johanne Bengtsson 6 February 1900 13 December 1995 was a Danish textile artist who specialized in embroidery Initially inspired by the stylized animals and plants used in medieval needlework she became an outstanding designer who could transform depictions of wild flowers into simple but effective embroidery patterns In 1980 she published the popular Danish Floral Charted Designs 1 2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Publications 4 ReferencesEarly life editBorn on 6 February 1900 in the Copenhagen district of Frederiksberg Gerda Johanna Bengtson was the daughter of two schoolteachers Svend Otto Bengtsson 1871 1956 and Elise Marie Lassen 1873 1956 Showing an early interest in drawing she was supported in her artistic ambitions by both her parents After attending Frederiksberg Technical School she studied painting at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts 1919 24 under Gotfred Rode Sigurd Wandel and during her final year the sculptor Einar Utzon Frank Of particular importance was the instruction she received in textile art from Astrid Holm who introduced her to tapestry work 3 Career editBengtsson later travelled to Paris on an extended study trip where she carefully studied the floral decorations on tapestries from the Middle Ages in the Musee de Cluny These served as an inspiration for her many colourful cross stitch patterns representing wild flowers herbs and other plants Her early work also reflects the stitch work techniques practised by Kristiane Konstantin Hansen and Johanne Bindesboll She soon moved from tapestry and weaving to the more straightforward cross stitch approach often basing her work on classical designs or the large tablecloths embroidered by the artist Else Johnsen 1898 1957 She was particularly adept at creating cross stitch patterns for a wide range of applications including tablecloths bed covers serviettes tea cosies and bell pulls Making use of her own colour identification system these easy to use patterns could be followed by women without special training 4 3 From 1939 Bengtsson taught at the Selskabet til Haandarbejdets Fremme establishment which also published her patterns Lifelong collaboration followed While she is remembered above all for her floral designs she also produced other designs with figures and birds Examples of her work can be seen in several Danish museums especially the Danish Museum of Art amp Design Bengtsson was awarded a gold medal in 1951 at the Milan Triennial IX Her patterns and publications have become popular not only in Denmark but in many other countries especially the United States They have been translated into several languages 4 3 Gerda Bengtsson died in Frederiksberg on 13 December 1995 3 She is buried in Hellebaek Cemetery 5 Publications editBengtsson s publications in English include 6 1972 Book of Danish stitchery 1973 Flower designs in cross stitch 1977 U S State flowers in counted cross stitch 1979 Herbs and medicinal plants in cross stitch from the Danish Handcraft Guild 1980 Danish floral charted designs 1983 Dye plants and fruits in cross stitch from the Danish Handcraft Guild 1986 Roses and flowering branches in counted cross stitch from the Danish Handcraft GuildReferences edit Egeberg Lone Gerda Bengtsson in Danish Gyldendal Den Store Danske Retrieved 14 March 2018 Bengtsson Gerda 1980 Danish Floral Charted Designs Courier Corporation ISBN 978 0 486 23957 6 a b c d Egeberg Lone Gerda Bengtsson 1900 1995 Dansk kvindebiografisk leksikon in Danish Kvinfo Retrieved 14 March 2018 a b Aarestrup Elin 1984 Gerda Bengtsson in Danish Gyldendal Dansk Biografisk Leksikon Retrieved 14 March 2018 Gerda Johanne Bengtsson in Danish Gravsted Retrieved 14 March 2018 Bengtsson Gerda OCLC WorldCat Identities Retrieved 14 March 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gerda Bengtsson amp oldid 1134348695, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
