Krøyer, P.S. (1851-1909)

Peder Severin Krøyer was born in Stavanger in Norway, but grew up in Copenhagen with his aunt and her Danish husband. Already as a child he showed an unusual talent for drawing, and he began at the Art Academy at age 14.

From 1877 to 1881, he was on a study trip in France, Spain and Italy. In Paris, he was admitted as a student at one of the leading private painting schools, and the education he received, was crucial for his art. Back in Copenhagen he quickly became one of today's most sought-after portrait painters, and he received many orders for paintings.

Krøyer came to Skagen first time in the summer of 1882. His enthusiasm for nature, environment and not least being together with the other artists meant that he returned nearly every summer from 1891, together with his wife, Marie. The first years rented the couple themselves into Mrs. B's House. In 1894 they got permission to rent and rebuild the old Sheriff housing in Skagen plantation-today known as Krøyer's House. A year later Marie gave birth to their daughter Lucinda. She was living with her father in Skagen, when Marie and Krøyer divorced in 1905.

Already since K came to Skagen, the first time he was a famous artist, and his presence created awareness about artist colony at Skagen. Summer gathered many artists to work and partying. The last often at Krøyer's initiative-he loved the sociability and ceremoniously.

It is the pictures from Skagen, which in particular is known and loved for K. Here he depicts the artists ' carefree life, their festive meals, walks on the beach and cosy evenings in Moonlight.