Ernst Josephson

Biography

Ernst Josephson was 16 years old when he started studying at the Academy of Fine Arts. Scholarships enabled Josephson to undertake educational visits to the Netherlands, Italy, and Paris. There, he had the opportunity to closely copy, study, and draw inspiration from renowned masters like Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Titian, as well as from modern artists such as Courbet and Manet. From 1879 to 1888, the artist maintained a studio in Paris and continued to travel to Norway, Copenhagen, England, and Spain. In 1885, Josephson led the opposition movement and submitted the controversial protest letter to the Academy of Fine Arts. In summer 1888, he settled on the island of Bréhat, which is located in Brittany. Josephson suffered from mental illness and was forced to return to Sweden, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to the psychiatric hospital Ulleråkers in Uppsala. Josephson's artistic career is complex. At the academy, he painted historical subjects, today he is best known for his portraits, realistic figure studies and his "illness art". The "illness art" is notable for its use of bold colors and incorporation of surrealistic elements. Following a period of illness, Josephson resumed painting in 1889 and held a solo exhibition in 1893. He also participated in the World's Fair in Paris. Additionally, he was a poet. The Thiel Collection includes nearly 20 works by Josephson.

Sororal niece: Gelly Hamnqvist (1868 - 1946) Sister: Valfrida Josephson (1848 - 1917) Sister: Hilma Marcus