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JAN EsMANN
Lives and works in copenhagen, Denmark
 www.janesmann.com
artist contact
 jan.esmann@image.dk

Jan Esmann is a leading figure in Scandinavian new figurative art. He is Jakarta. When younger, Esmann searched fervently for someone who
connected with the Scandinavian group “Retrogarde”, that brings together could teach him how to paint and tried various private teachers, but
painters, poets and other arts that feel anguished that important qualities was never satisfied. Later he studied at The Royal Academy of Arts in
of art have faded into oblivion with modernism and postmodernism. Copenhagen, but left after three years because he no longer wanted to
Retrogarde is not a reactionary movement, but a movement that seeks waste his time. He trained as an art restorer in order to get insight into
to reinstigate man and the humane as the essence of art. Esmann is the materials and craft of painting as well as acquire first hand knowledge
also a member of the international movement that sarcastically calls of historical painting techniques. But Esmann learned to paint the hard
itself “Kitsch” in order to differentiate itself from the purely intellectual, way: by trial and error and hard work – plus a little talent. Simultaneously
conceptual and academic postmodern art, and to emphasize a belief that with studying at the Royal Academy he studied history of modern culture
humane values are essential to art - just as in traditional kitsch. Along at Copenhagen University, which earned him an MA. He is a member of
the same vein, Esmann is passionately into meditation and spirituality Mensa and a former member of The International Society of Philosophical
which may be seen as a metaphysical streak in his works. Esmann has Enquiry. He has published numerous important articles on modern culture
exhibited throughout Scandinavia as well as in New York, San Francisco in Danish academic publications. Esmann has been a full time painter for
and Philadelphia and his works are in major collections as far away as two decades and lives and works in Copenhagen.

FOUr CLOnes WOrsHIPPIng A VOLCAnO, 2004 oiL on canvas 51x73 in. /130x185 cm. TRENDS