Kristian Mohl-Hansen was born in Ibsker in 1876 and completed his apprenticeship in 1895 before studying painting at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts for a year before moving to the Zahrtmann School in 1896 till 1899.His first exhibition was at the Charlotte spring exhibition of 1899 before showing primarily at the Free Exhibition in 1901. He was given several scholarships and grants allowing him to travel to Germany, France, Italy, England, Spain, and Holland. He was awarded the Eckersberg Medal for his embroidered textiles at the Paris World Exhibition on 1925.and also contributed to the exhibition in 1928.
As a painter, he primarily work with watercolors in nature studies and landscapes, with some of the larger pieces being featured at the National Museum of Art and the art museums around the area of Paramibo.
A craftsman of many talents, he also designed a few tombstones for family members and in the 1890's designed embroidery patters for Ms. Marie Bindesboll. He worked for a short period of time for Bing and Grondahl, F. Dragsted and Georg Jensen designing patterns for these silversmiths. He also worked for Gyldendal designing book covers, and for others worked at designing textiles and wallpapers. Stylistically, his designs often reflect his times, taking on an Art Nouveau idiom, and his industrial arts are shown at the Museum of Decorative Arts.
Although his works for Georg Jensen were freelance, he is responsible for producing the iconic dove within a wreath design, which has been in manufactury since the earliest years including a belt buckle variation that was on display at the 1904 Kunstindustrimuseum exhibition. Although he produced other pieces, the dove remains his most iconic.
Georg Jensen Silversmithy- 77 Artists, 75 Years)
