OSCAR GUNDLACH-PEDERSEN (1887 - 1970)
Born in 1886 in Odense, his first job was an apprenticeship as a bricklayer while he attended the Odense Technical College. Gundlach-Pedersen later studied sculpture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and is responsible for designing a number of important buildings in Denmark. His early architectural works were either Neo-classical or Baroque inspired, although even by 1922, he was emphasising a paring down and simplification of his designs. Beginning in 1911, he worked at the Georg Jensen Silversmithy as Georg Jensen's last apprentice. After Georg Jensen's break from the silversmithy, he became the assistant Director to the silversmithy from 1926 - 54, where he was responsible for the new artistic direction of the company and chose designs to be represented in the product line. His relationship with Georg Jensen was often considered detrimental and he was abrasive to the old master within his new position. In addition to designing the Parallel and Nordic flatware patterns, he designed Mitra, the company's first stainless steel flatware pattern. He also designed a number of jewelry and hollowware pieces. His design often reflected the pared down Functionalism that was prevalent of the time. He was represented in many exhibitions and received a gold medal at the Paris World Exhibition in 1925 and the Diplome d'honneru at L'Exposition Internationale, in Paris in 1937. Oscar Gundelach Pedersen also held positions on a number of boards including being President of the Danish Standards Council Committee for Carpentry and Hardware, and member of the Societe des artistes decorateurs in Paris, as well as designed furniture for the home.
FREDERICIA'S HISTORY
Personal names linked to the town's history.
Collected and edited by Erik F. Rønnebech ©VILHELM OSCAR GUNDELACH-PEDERSEN
(1886-1960)
He was born on the 17th. May 1886 in Odense and baptized Vilhelm Oscar Pedersen. He was the son of merchant Lauritz Anton Gustav Pedersen (1855-1923) and Margrethe Dorothea Louise Olga Gundlach (1858-1916).
In 1924, he had his mother's surname added with a hyphen (Gundelach-Pedersen).
He was a bricklayer's apprentice in Odense for 5 years and completed his apprenticeship in 1905. During his apprenticeship, he attended the Odense Technical School, from which he graduated in 1906 as a building designer.
In 1909 he was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts' school for architecture, design and conservation and in January 1917 took his graduation exam. From 1906-1907 he was employed by Professor HB Storck.
Became a highly recognized architect, and designed several significant buildings in Fredericia. Blue. Dansk Købestævne, Odd-Fellowlogen's property in Gothersgade, Det hvide Vandtårn, Hotel Landsoldaten, Danmarksport and Nørreport.
He also designed the memorial for Southern Jutland's reunification with the motherland and the fountain that was once set up on Akseltorv and watered the city by A/S E. Rasmussen.
The reunification monument, the Købestævnet, the white water tower were erected on the protected embankment area.
He won many architecture awards and designed both furniture and jewellery. He also designed the monument and tombstone for the South Jutland soldiers who died in World War I and are buried in the cemetery in Braine in Northern France.
He was both a knight of Dannebrog and a man of Dannebrog.
He married 1st time 9.3.1911 in Copenhagen, Helliggeist church to Eva Villy Erna Tofte Groesmeyer, born 20.5.1890 in Rudkøbing, died 18.8.1978 in Lyngby, daughter of a cooper in Rudkøbing, later sawmill owner in Korsør Peter Carl Vilhelm Groesmeyer ( 1867-1925) and Helma Elvira Nielsen (1868-1919). The marriage was dissolved.
Married 2nd time 18.6.1927 in Copenhagen (civil marriage) to weaver Aase Marie Jacobsen, born 10.8.1902 in Hellerup, daughter of wholesaler Harald Jacobsen (1858-1950) and Mary Behrend Nielsen (1861-1913).
He died on 4 October 1960, aged 74, in Kongens Lyngby and was buried at Søllerød Cemetery.
From GEORG JENSEN HOLLOWWARE, THE SILVERFUND COLLECTION, David A. Taylor & Jason W. Laskey, 2003
Click HERE to read more about Oscar Gundlach-Pedersen's contributions to the Georg Jensen Silversmithy
Click HERE to visit a site depicting Oscar Gundlach-Pedersen's gravestone and a small biography
Click HERE to see items in Parallel
Click HERE to see items in Nordic
