Hugo Larsen

In Hugo Larsen's production, the charcoal and pencil drawings from the Danish West Indies have a unique position. Few white artists had an interest in making realistic pictures of the local people of colour. And even fewer were allowed to get close enough to see and depict the everyday life. But Hugo Larsen did. By his modest bearing and sincere interest he managed to see and depict the local population in their daily life.

This is unique and great art. And it is also a unique history that no one else has told. It is a mystery to me that these drawings are not very well known in the U.S. Virgin Islands today.

There are some oil paintings of the local population and a few are reproduced in the gallery of West indian paintings, but the local demand for art has probably not been very high so most of Hugo Larsen's pictures of the local population and their life are pencil and charcoal drawings. They are simple and realistic and they express a deep empathy.

Most of the original drawings which are reproduced here, are currently on display at the special Hugo Larsen exhibition at Øregaard Museum in Copenhagen.

See also:

Biography of Hugo Larsen

The Virtual Gallery:
    Hugo Larsen's West Indian paintings
    Hugo Larsen's West Indian drawings
    Portraits by Hugo Larsen
    Hugo Larsen's Muses
    Family and Self Portraits
    Other Works by Hugo Larsen
    Sketches and drawings by Hugo Larsen

Inquiries for Hugo Larsen's works

I would be very happy to receive photos of Hugo Larsen paintings. If you are  not familiar with making photos of paintings, please visit my small guide.