Olle Hjortzberg

Gustaf Olof (Olle) Hjortzberg (14 November 1872 – 8 March 1959) was a Swedish painter and illustrator. He is remembered above all for contributing to the revival of wall paintings in Swedish churches.

Biography

Born in Stockholm, Hjortzberg was brought up in Linköping where his father taught him to paint watercolours. In 1886, he moved to Stockholm where he became acquainted with the architect and illustrator Agi Lindegren who introduced him to ornamental work. From 1892, he studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts. After marrying in 1898, he travelled with his wife to Paris and, in 1899, to Italy where he visited Florence and Perugia. He then went to Syria and Palestine where the oriental environment influenced his art. In 1902, he visited London before returning to Italy where he stayed for a time in Rome studying the old masters before travelling to Ravenna to see the Byzantine art.

Awards In 1945, Hjortzberg was awarded the Prince Eugen Medal.