The boat is hauled ashore. by Carl Locher
Waves against the shore and ships on the horizon. by Carl Locher
The barque Galilei of Copenhagen. by Carl Locher
Surf, dark clouds are gathering. by Carl Locher
Surf at Skagen. by Carl Locher
The Danish Navy squadron of 1890. by Carl Locher
The Danish Navy heading out. by Carl Locher
Der læsses tang ved Hornbæk Strand by Carl Locher
A Danish naval squadron at sea. by Carl Locher
A fisherman watching the sea. by Carl Locher
A three-masted barque and a brigantine at sea. by Carl Locher
Fishing cutters in the moonlit night by Carl Locher

Carl Locher

1851–1915 · Danish

Before Locher picked up a paintbrush formally, he sailed the Atlantic with the Royal Danish Navy to the Caribbean. The experience of open ocean defined his career as Denmark's foremost marine painter.

Key facts

Lived
1851–1915, Danish
Movement

Biography

He was born in Flensburg in 1851, the son of a ship portrait painter. He was an early member of the Skagen artists' colony in northern Jutland and trained under Leon Bonnat in Paris. He studied etching under Professor Hans Meyer in Berlin in 1892 and opened an etching school for Danish artists in Copenhagen. He built a permanent beachfront studio at Skagen in 1910. He died in 1915.

Timeline

  1. 1851Born on 21 November in Flensburg in the Duchy of Schleswig (then part of Denmark). His father painted ship portraits for a living, giving the young Carl his earliest training.
  2. 1872Enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen at 21, having already visited the Skagen artists' colony at the encouragement of the poet Holger Drachmann.
  3. 1885Began producing etchings at 34, quickly gaining recognition as one of the finest Danish printmakers of his generation.
  4. 1892Travelled to Berlin at 41 with state support to study copper etching under Professor Hans Meyer at the Berlin University of the Arts. He later opened an etching school in Copenhagen attended by Anna and Michael Ancher.
  5. 1910Built a permanent beachfront house with a large studio in Skagen at 59, dedicating himself to seascape painting in the artists' colony where he had first visited nearly 40 years earlier.
  6. 1915Died on 20 December in Skagen at the age of 64.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Carl Locher known for?
    Carl Locher is known as Denmark's foremost marine painter. He is also known for opening an etching school for Danish artists in Copenhagen.
  • What is Carl Locher's most famous work?
    Carl Locher (1851-1915) is best known for his marine paintings, particularly those depicting the coasts and maritime life of Denmark. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Later, he became one of the Skagen Painters, a group of artists who gathered in the village of Skagen, in the far north of Jutland. Locher's most recognised work is arguably "The Rescue Boat Leaves Skagen" (1883). This painting captures the dramatic atmosphere of the sea and the bravery of the fishermen. It shows a rescue boat setting out from the shore amid rough waves. The work is celebrated for its realistic portrayal of the sea, its dynamic composition, and its depiction of the everyday lives of the people of Skagen. Locher's other notable paintings include "Moonlight over the Eastern Sea" and various scenes of fishing boats and coastal views around Skagen. He produced many etchings and lithographs, too. These further explore maritime themes. While "The Rescue Boat Leaves Skagen" may be his single most famous piece, his wider body of work has secured his place in Danish art history.
  • What should I know about Carl Locher's prints?
    Carl Locher (1851-1915) was a Danish realist painter and printmaker, best known for marine paintings of Skagen in northern Jutland. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1872 to 1875, and he travelled extensively in Europe and North Africa. Locher is associated with the Skagen Painters, a group of artists who gathered in Skagen from the 1870s onwards. They were influenced by French Realism and Naturalism, and they often painted en plein air (outdoors). Other members included Peder Krøyer, Anna Ancher, and Michael Ancher. Locher's prints often depict scenes of ships and the sea. These prints are usually lithographs or etchings, made after his oil paintings. Examples include "The Rescue Boat Leaves Skagen" and "Moonlight over the Sea". His work captures the atmosphere of the coast, and the daily lives of fishermen and sailors. He aimed to portray the sea and its people with accuracy.
  • What style or movement did Carl Locher belong to?
    Carl Locher (1851-1915) was a Danish realist painter, best known for maritime scenes. He is associated with the Skagen Painters, a group of artists who gathered in the village of Skagen, Denmark, during the late 19th century. The Skagen Painters were influenced by the French naturalism movement. They moved away from the formal, academic styles of the time. Instead, they chose to paint en plein air (outdoors), capturing the natural light and colours of the coastal environment. They focused on everyday life, particularly the lives of fishermen and the local community. Locher's work shares characteristics with other Skagen artists, such as Peder Kroyer and Anna Ancher. These include a focus on naturalism, an interest in depicting the lives of ordinary people, and a use of light and colour to create atmosphere. However, Locher's particular specialism was ships and seascapes. He is remembered as one of Denmark's finest marine painters.
  • What techniques or materials did Carl Locher use?
    Unfortunately, the provided passages do not contain specific information about Carl Locher's techniques or materials. They discuss the working methods of David Smith, Brice Marden, Jack Youngerman, and Claes Oldenburg, but not Locher. Without specific references, it is difficult to provide a detailed answer. Generally, as a marine painter working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carl Locher would probably have employed traditional oil painting techniques. This would involve using brushes on canvas, applying layers of oil paint to build up colour and form. He may have also created watercolours and drawings, using watercolour paints or pencils and paper. The specific character of his technique would depend on his training, personal preferences, and the desired effect.
  • What was Carl Locher known for?
    Carl Locher (1851-1915) was a Danish Realist painter, best known for maritime scenes. Many of his works depict the activities of sailors, ships, and harbours. Locher studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He was influenced by the Skagen painters, a group of artists who gathered in the fishing village of Skagen, Denmark, during the late 19th century. Skagen's remote location and unique light attracted artists seeking to paint en plein air (outdoors). Although not a permanent resident of Skagen, Locher associated with artists such as P.S. Krøyer and Michael Ancher. These connections shaped his artistic style and subject matter. His paintings often feature the daily lives of fishermen and the dramatic seascapes of the region. Locher's work provides a visual record of maritime life in Denmark during this period. He is recognised for his realistic and detailed portrayals of ships and seas.
  • When did Carl Locher live and work?
    Carl Locher was a Danish realist painter and printmaker, born on 21 November 1851 in Flensborg and deceased on 20 December 1915 in Skagen. Locher is best known for his marine paintings, particularly those depicting the fishing boats and coastal scenes of Skagen, Denmark. From 1872, he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. In 1875, he travelled to Paris. He first arrived in Skagen in 1883, becoming part of the community known as the Skagen Painters. These artists gathered in the remote fishing village and were known for their naturalistic style. Locher's work provides a view into the lives of fishermen and maritime culture of the time.
  • Where can I see Carl Locher's work?
    Carl Locher (1851-1915) is best known for maritime painting. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1872 to 1875. Many museums hold paintings by Locher. The Skagens Museum has a collection of his works; Locher lived in Skagen for extended periods. The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst[1]) also possesses examples. Other museums with his paintings include the Ribe Kunstmuseum, and smaller regional collections. Locher's prints are less common in museum collections. These are mostly held by the Department of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Denmark. Major auction houses occasionally offer his paintings and prints for sale. These sales provide another opportunity to view his art, although temporarily. Catalogues from these auctions can act as a reference.
  • Where was Carl Locher from?
    Carl Locher was Danish. Although the Scandinavian countries share some cultural and linguistic links, there are clear distinctions between them. Denmark has a unique artistic history, with early contact with Paris and the Bauhaus school. This led to the formation of the Linien group, whose avant-garde spirit survived the Second World War. After 1945, artists such as Robert Jacobsen and Richard Mortensen moved to Paris to renew international contacts. Alongside this abstract movement, the COBRA group, led by Asger Jorn, emerged. This created a rich national-international artistic environment in Denmark, though a certain mannerism has since become apparent. These factors distinguish Danish art from that of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
  • Who did Carl Locher influence?
    Carl Locher's artistic influence is not well documented in the provided texts. However, the passages discuss the influence of other artists, such as Pieter Bruegel and Caravaggio, on subsequent generations of painters. Bruegel's depictions of peasant life, for example, impacted artists like Roelandt Savery and Lucas van Valckenborch. Savery's Peasant Meal (1608) references Bruegel's Peasant Dance, though Savery's interpretation of peasant behaviour is less ambiguous and more derisive. Valckenborch, who became court painter to Maximilian II of Habsburg in 1579, drew on Bruegel's prototypes in his representations of interactions between peasants and the elite. Similarly, Caravaggio's impact extended to Dutch, French, and Spanish painters, including Rembrandt van Rijn and Diego Velázquez. His realistic style and ambiguous compositions resonated with artists, and his work experienced a revival in the 20th century due to the efforts of art historian Roberto Longhi.
  • Who influenced Carl Locher?
    It is difficult to identify specific influences on Carl Locher from the provided texts. The passages list numerous individuals associated with the Bauhaus school (1919-1933), including Gyula Pap, Richard Paulick, Max Peiffer Watenphul, Walter Peterhans, Josef Pohl, Hans Przyrembel, Konrad Püschel, Margaretha Reichardt, Rainer Maria Rilke, Otto Rittweger, Karl Peter Röhl, Agnes Roghé, Hajo Rose, Reinhold Rossig, Xanti Schawinsky, Hinnerk Scheper, Oskar Schlemmer, Joost Schmidt, Kurt Schmidt, Eberhard Schrammen, Lothar Schreyer, Herbert Schürmann, Kurt Schwertfeger, Werner Siedhoff, Alma Siedhoff-Buscher, Franz Singer, Franz Skala, Naum Slutzky, Irmgard Sörensen, Paula Stockmar, Gunta Stölzl, Wolfgang Tümpel, Otto Umbehr, Henry van de Velde, Reingard Voigt, Lis Volger, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Nikolai Wassiljew, Vincent Weber, Margaret Willers, Hans Wittwer, Anni Wottiz, Iwao Yamawaki and Michiko Yamawaki. However, there is no direct mention of Carl Locher or his artistic influences within these lists. Therefore, based solely on these references, it's not possible to determine who influenced Carl Locher.
  • Who was Carl Locher?
    Carl Locher (1851-1915) was a Danish Realist painter, most associated with maritime subjects. He is considered an important figure in Danish art, particularly for his depictions of the sea and coastal life. Born in Flensburg, Locher studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1872 to 1875. He travelled extensively, visiting places such as France and England, which influenced his artistic style. He was a member of the artistic colony in Skagen, a northern Jutland fishing village that attracted many artists. Locher's paintings often feature ships, fishermen, and the dramatic seascapes of the Skagerrak and Kattegat straits. His work is characterised by a realistic approach, capturing the details of maritime life and the atmosphere of the sea. Among his notable works are paintings of lighthouses, shipwrecks, and the daily activities of sailors. These paintings offer valuable insight into the maritime culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Denmark.

Sources

Editorial draws on the following primary and tertiary references for Carl Locher.

  1. [1] museum Statens Museum for Kunst Used for: museum holdings.
  2. [2] wikidata Wikidata: Q2979668 Used for: identifiers.
  3. [3] book Husslein-Arco, Agnes, editor; Koja, Stephan, editor; Law, Rebecca (Translator), translator; McInnes, Robert (Translator), translator; Somers, Nick, translator; Monet, Claude, 1840-1926. Paintings. Selections; Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, h Used for: biography.
  4. [4] book Masterpieces of western art : a history of art in 900 individual studies from the Gothic to the present day Used for: biography.
  5. [5] book Post-impressionism : cross-currents in European painting Used for: biography.

Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-06-12. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.

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