Bjørn Wiinblad

Bjørn Wiinblad was one of Denmark's most talented artists, and became world famous for his imaginative drawings and decorations filled with romantic girls, legendary figures, and wonderful patterns. But before he could unleash himself as an artist, he  had to attend the Technical College in Frederiksberg from 1936 to 1939, and also held an apprenticeship as a typographer during the same period.

He had told his father that he wanted to be an artist, but his father insisted that he first pursue an education that would ensure him a fixed monthly salary. Bjørn Wiinblad therefore began his studies in typography in 1935 and, although he understood the sense in learning proper craftsmanship, he did not fit into the typography environment particularly well.

However, in 1940, Wiinblad became a newly qualified typographer, and had he followed the usual path, he would soon have found himself a job as a printer or compositor at a newspaper. But Bjørn Wiinblad wasn't someone who followed the beaten track. Naturally, he also couldn't let go of the idea of working within art – and preferably as an illustrator. Therefore, that same year, he began studying at the graphics college at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, under Professor Aksel Jørgensen. Here, Bjørn Wiinblad initially embraced his professor’s stringent graphical style.