4 minute read
Holcha Krake (1885-1944)
Holcha Krake (1885-1944)
Holcha Krake was a pioneering Danish teacher, textile artist, ceramist and watercolorist whose career bridged Nordic folk traditions and modernist art movements. She was only fifteen as the 20th century began, yet was already educated and notably independent. In her short life, she experienced firsthand the European avant-garde art scene in 1920s Paris and Berlin. Met with famous artists like Edvard Munch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner and lived through the Harlem Renaissance In New York.
Her marriage to African-American painter William H. Johnson created a crosscultural partnership that influenced both artists’ lives and work, establishing Krake as a significant yet still under-recognized figure in early 20th-century art. Krake’s life and contributions have often been overshadowed by the towering legacy of Johnson. However, her role as both an artist and a catalyst in Johnson’s life and work cannot be understated. She brought to their partnership a wealth of cultural knowledge, artistic skill, and emotional support that profoundly shaped Johnson’s creative journey.
Holcha Krake, was born Holcha Martha Sørensen on the April 6th, 1885, in Karlby Sogn, in Jutland, Denmark, and raised in a family dedicated to education. Her parents, both educators, fostered a home that valued progressive learning, creativity, and curiosity, profoundly shaping Holcha and her three younger siblings, Niels, Nanna and Erna. In 1891, when Krake was six, the family moved to Dalby on the Hindsholm peninsula in Funen, where her father, Søren Martin Sørensen, became headmaster of Dalby Friskole (Dalby Free School), the world’s oldest free school, founded by Christen Kold in 1852.
Krake and her siblings all grew up on the Dalby school campus, which later included a teacher training college. By the age of 16, as recorded in the 1901 census, Krake was already working as a school teacher, a testament to her early immersion in the educational ideals her family championed.
Travels of Krake and Johnson.
Krake and Johnson shared a profound love for travel and exploration, which became a central theme in their life together. Their journeys were not merely about seeing new places but about immersing themselves in the essence of the cultures, landscapes, and communities they visited. This shared passion significantly shaped their relationship and their artistic outlook.
While living in Denmark, the couple often sought inspiration in nature and the joys of simple living. They spent their days hiking through picturesque landscapes, cycling along forest trails, and enjoying the serenity of Denmark’s beaches. They also maintained close connections with family and friends, frequently visiting loved ones in towns like Odense, Ebeltoft, and Copenhagen. These excursions strengthened their bond and reflected their shared appreciation for the beauty in both nature and human connection.
In the early 1930s, their travels extended beyond Denmark, taking them to cultural hubs in France and Germany. They revisited Paris and other artistic centers, engaging with exhibitions and exploring the vibrant art scenes. In Germany, they spent significant time with Erna and Christoph Voll in Karlsruhe, where they found intellectual and artistic camaraderie. These experiences in larger cities allowed them to network with other artists and explore cutting-edge artistic movements, enriching their creative practices.
However, Krake and Johnson deeply valued escaping the hustle and distractions of urban life. They sought out the quieter, more authentic aspects of the places they visited, believing that rural areas held the true essence of the land and its people. This philosophy guided them to remote regions, where they could connect with local communities and artists whose grounded, simple lifestyles resonated with their own approach to life and art. Notably, their travels took them to rural Northen Africa, where they were inspired by the vibrant cultures, traditional crafts, and dynamic landscapes they encountered. These experiences influenced their work, as they captured the essence of the people and the environment in vivid sketches. Similarly, in northern Norway, they stayed with local artists and communities, immersing themselves in the dramatic fjord landscapes and unique Scandinavian culture. These rural experiences offered a stark contrast to their time in cities and underscored their preference for living and creating in harmony with nature.
.
