Johan Hörner (1711-1763)

• Was a Swedish-born Danish portrait painter.
• He began his studies with Johan Henrik Scheffel in Stockholm.

• As a Pietist (a member of a Lutheran sect that was out of favor with the established church), he faced serious discrimination.

• As a result, he moved to Denmark in 1734.

• He helped find refuge for other self-exiled Swedes, but soon came under scrutiny for his activities and moved to the countryside.

• Hörner attempted to win an appointment as court painter but, despite the fact that King Christian VI was sympathetic to the Pietists, he was not accepted.

• Instead, he found work portraying the clergy and the well-to-do bourgeoisie.

• He also produced cabinet paintings, family portraits, still lifes and "Natstykker" (paintings set at night, lit only by candles or a fire), which were very popular at the time.

• He became a regular attendee of the artistic salons held at the home of Johanna Marie Fosie; the first such salon in Denmark.

• His works are unsigned and many may not have been identified.

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