Henning Koppel


Henning Koppel was a Danish artist and designer. He is most known for his work for Georg Jensen in the years after World War II but had also designed porcelain and lamps.

Early life and education

Koppel was born on 8 May 1918 in Copenhagen, the son of editor and later editor-in-chief of Politiken Valdemar Koppel and translator Elise Jørgensen. He graduated from Øregårds Gymnasium in 1934 and then studied first under professor Einar Utzon-Frank at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts's School of Sculpture in 1936–37 and then at Académie Ranson in Paris in 1938.

Sculpture

He had his debut at the Artists' Authumn Exhibition in 1935 with an expressive portrait bust. His best works as a sculptor are the busts of Valdemar and Jytte Koppel and Tora Nordstrom Bonnier og Karl Adam Bonnier. He was also represented with drawings on several exhibitions.

Design

As a result of his Jewish background, Koppel had seek refuge in Sweden during World War II In Stockholm where he resided in 1943-44, he attracted considerable attention for his work as a jewellery designer for Svenskt Tenn.
Back in Denmark in 1945, he obtained a contract with Georg Jensen. a collaboration that lasted throughout the rest of his life. His work was rewarded with a gold medals on three Milan Triennials in a row in. His designs for Georg Jensen included both hollowware, jewellery and flatware patterns suh as Caravel and New York.
In 1961 Koppel also began to work for Bing & Grøndahl. His designs for the company included both coffee and tea sets, flatware patterns and a number of jugs and serving dishes.
He has also designed glassware for Holmegaard and Orrefors. In 1963 he won 1st prize in a competition for the design of a new series of stamps for Post Danmark but his design proposal was never realized.

Exhibition

Koppel's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions in Denmark and abroad and he is represented in the collections of many leading design museums internationally.

Written works

In 1975, Koppel published a collection of essays titled Var der så mere i vejen?.

Personal life

Koppel married Jytte Skouboe Petersen in Copenhagen on 14 November 1941. She was a daughter of actor Eyvind Johan-Svendsen and actress Else Skouboe. He died on 27 June 1981 and is buried in Bispebjerg Cemetery.

Awards