Henrik Olrik

Ole Henrik Benedictus Olrik (24 May 1830 – 2 January 1890) was a Danish painter, sculptor and applied artist.

Early life and education Henrik Olrik, born in Copenhagen, was son of customs inspector Henrik Johan Ludvig Olrik and Benedicte Martinette (née Heiberg). Olrik was admitted to Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1844 where he initially studied sculpture under Herman Wilhelm Bissen, while at the same time working at the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory, where he made reduced copies of Bertel Thorvaldsen works. He graduated from the Academy in 1851 after winning two silver medals for his works in 1848 and 1851.

Career as an artist

After returning to Denmark in 1855, Olrik soon became recognized as a reputable portrait painter and painted portraits of a wide variety of individuals including King Christian IX of Denmark (1877) and his daughter Alexandra (1873), later the Princess of Wales as well as members of the Danish Parliament and representatives of Scandinavian high society, including Sigurd Ibsen and Henrik Ibsen.

In 1871, Olrik became a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, in 1883 professor titular, and in 1887 he was elected to Akademirådet.

He made various design projects for numerous manufacturers including Ipsens Terrakottafabrik, the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory, HC Drewsens Elektropletfabrik, Cuckoo and V. Christesens Sølvvarefabrik. His designs included items as diverse as tableware, bindings, sables and coins. He also prepared a design of a monument for Tsar Alexander II of Russia (1884).

Private life He married Hermine Valentine (1839-1917) in May 1859. They had six children; Benedicte Olrik, Dagmar Olrik, Axel Olrik, Eyvind Olrik, Hans Olrik and Jørgen Olrik. He died at Frederiksberg and was buried at Vestre Kirkegard.

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