P. S. Krøyer
Peder Severin Krøyer, known by his painting name, P. S. Krøyer, was a Danish artist who lived from 1851 to 1909. Krøyer is most known for his association with the Skagen Painters. These artists formed a colony in Skagen to practice their own art styles and break away from the Academic and Golden Age of Art principles still heavily practiced in Denmark. Between the 1870s and 1900, this group of artists formed a colony in Skagen, the northernmost part of Denmark. Krøyer acted as their unofficial leader and is one of the most well-known artists from that group.
Krøyer was born in Stavanger, Norway in 1851. After his mother was deemed unfit to care for him, he moved in with his aunt and uncle in Copenhagen, Denmark. Krøyer’s education started when he was 9, when his guardians provided him with private art lessons. By 14, Krøyer was enrolled at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. where he did quite well, graduating at 19 with scholarships and medals. Krøyer traveled around Europe for a few years in the late 1870s, spending time in Paris and meeting many of the Impressionist artists.
By 1882, Krøyer was spending his summers in Skagen, immersing himself in the art scene there. By this time, he was already well-known for his work. In 1888, he married Marie Triepcke, a fellow artist. His wife was also heavily involved in the Skagen art scene and is depicted in many of Krøyer’s most well-known pieces.
As an artist herself, Marie felt some stress of being married to a prominent artist. She felt that she had to step back from her art to play the part of housewife and mother, and that her work was less important than her husband’s. Additionally, P. S. Krøyer suffered from mental health issues and spent some time in mental hospitals. She was often alone with their child. Unfortunately, the marriage fell apart and the two were divorced in 1905. Krøyer’s health rapidly declined after his divorce. Suffered from failing eyesight and mental health problems. P. S. Krøyer died in 1909 at just 58 years old.
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