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William Scharff

1886 – 1959

Danish painter

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About William Scharff

Lived 1886 – 1959 (aged 73). William Scharff was a Danish painter.

Niels William Scharff (30 October 1886 – 20 September 1959) was a Danish painter, one of the leading proponents of Cubism in Denmark.

Career During the First World War, Scharff was involved in Grønningen, a new artists' cooperative with an interest in Cubism. His Cubist tendencies can clearly be seen in his Legende I (1911, Randers Kunstmuseum) and in a series of pictures depicting poultry (1917–1918) and representing harmony between man and nature. His style was inspired by Cubism and the Abstract art movement while many of his subjects were based on his upbringing with his grandparents in the farming community of Tisvilde in the north of Zealand.

In addition to his paintings, he decorated the students' residence Studentergaarden with Frescofrescoes (1943–1953), designed tapestries for Christiansborg (1951–1958) and created the curtain for Tivoli's concert hall (1956). He was made a knight of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1943 and Commander in 1954. He died in Copenhagen and was buried at Tibirke cemetery at Tisvilde.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Zahrtmanns malerskole
Awards
Eckersberg Medal; Thorvaldsen Medal; Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog; Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog; Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog
Also known as
Niels William Scharff

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Scharff's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Scharff?

Danish painter (1886-1959)

When was William Scharff born?

William Scharff was born on 30 October 1886 in Copenhagen.

When did William Scharff die?

William Scharff died on 20 December 1959 in Copenhagen.

What was William Scharff's occupation?

William Scharff was a painter.

What nationality was William Scharff?

William Scharff was Danish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Scharff

· Wikidata: Q3793139

· DBpedia: William Scharff

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Scharff. https://biography.guide/william-scharff/

MLA: "William Scharff." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-scharff/.

Chicago: "William Scharff." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-scharff/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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