Carl Bloch was a Danish artist. He was born in 1834. He is most well-known as the artist who produced the best portrayals of the life of Jesus Christ. Still today, many modern artists attempting to achieve this monumental feat turn to Bloch’s work for guidance.
From an early age, the only thing Bloch was interested in was drawing and painting. Despite his parent’s best attempts to encourage him to become a Naval officer, Bloch was obsessed with the idea of becoming an artist. This dream took him to the Royal Danish Academy of Art.
Following this, he took off to Italy to continue his art studies. On the way, he passed through the Netherlands where he was exposed to the famous artist Rembrandt’s work. This exposure would inspire Bloch’s work greatly in the coming years.
For the next 7 years, Bloch lived in Italy, which proved to be an important period for the development of his style. His first breakthrough came with the exhibition of his piece titled Prometheus Unbound in 1865 in Copenhagen.
Bloch met his wife in Italy, and the couple remained happily married for the next 18 years until her death in 1886. Her death, as well as being left to care for their 8 children alone, was a devastating blow for the artist. Nevertheless, his reputation continued to grow, and with it, his success.
The culmination of this was a commission to paint 23 pieces for the King’s Chapel at Frederiksborg Palace. The series focused on different scenes from Jesus Christ’s life, and reproductions are still very popular as illustrations today, particularly with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The original pieces are still at Frederiksborg Palace in Hillerod, Denmark.
Bloch’s death from cancer in 1890 was sudden and abrupt, and Nordic art lost a giant too soon.
1. A Utility Room
‘A Utility Room’ was created in the year 1854 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
2. A Father’s Joy
‘A father’s joy‘ was created in c.1857 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
3. A Meal
‘A Meal’ was created by Caro Bloch in the year 1859 in Realism style.
4. Two Monks
‘Two Monks’ was created in the year 1861 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
5. View Of The Forum Romanum in Rome
‘View of the Forum Romanum in Rome’ was created in 1862 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
6. Adele
‘Adele’ was created by Carl Bloch in the year 1864 in Realism style.
7. Italian Boy’s Head
‘Italian Boy’s Head’ was created in the year 1865 in Realism style by Carl Bloch.
8. Two Smiling Girls
‘Two smiling girls‘ was created in 1865 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
9. The Reading Of The Hand
‘The Reading Of The Hand’ was created by Carl Bloch in the year 1865 in Realism style.
10. In A Roman Osteria
‘In a Roman Osteria’ is a painting by the Danish painter Carl Bloch painted in the year 1866 in Academicism style.
11. A Flute Player
‘A Flute PLayer’ was made in the year 1869 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
12. Wedding At Cana
‘Wedding at Cana‘ was created in 1870 by Carl Bloch in Academicism style.
13. Raising Of Lazarus
Raising of Lazarus is a painting by Carl Bloch made in the year 1870 in Academicism style.
14. A Fransciscan Monk
‘A Fransciscan Monk’ was made in the year 1873 by Carl Bloch in Realism style.
15. A Girl In White Dress
‘A Girl In White Dress’ was created by Carl Bloch in the year 1873 in Realism style.