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Emile Théodore Frandsen de Schomberg 1902- 1969

1902-25 Emile Théodore Frandsen de Schomberg was born on June 14 1902 in Hénin-Liétard to a Franco-Danish family. The family moved later to Paris where his father ran an insurance broker business. In Paris, he attended the Francs-Bourgeois School. During WW1, his parents send him to boarding school. These years will mark him for the rest of his life, leaving an impression of years of exile and imprisonment. After the war, he completes his studies in Brittany. 1926-38 He begins his career as an insurance broker and marries his first wife, Yvonne. Three children are born from this marriage. In 1934, he meets Renée, the beginning of a passion which will last 30 years. He shares his life between his family, his insurance business and his artist studio in Montparnasse. He renews his ties with his friends from the Beaux-Arts. It is the happiest period of his life, which lays the foundation of his artistic research. Renée, with her youth and revolutionary spirit, becomes his muse. 1939-46 He is called up to serve his country. At the height of the bombing he reflects: “ We had no choice but to pile up bodies. In the midst of this carnage surrounding us, our values were shattered..... only art remained …”. He moves to France’s free zone and lives with Renée at La Bassée, where he joins the Resistance movement under Colonel Bouchery aka “ LaVoix du Nord”. Bouchery is later arrested, tortured and executed by the Nazis. His portrait is found in the painter’s collection. This intense period of fear and heroism fuels his creative inspiration. His contact with painting is passionate and art becomes a cult. At the liberation, both he and Renée are awarded medals for their efforts in the French resistance movement. In 1945, Renée gives birth to their son, Emile. With the wave of nationalisations, his activites as an insurance broker cease and he loses all his assets and investments.

1947-69 He flees to the South of France and relocates his family, but continues to live with Renée and his son Emile. He is inspired by the special “light” and scenery of the Cote d’Azur. He defines his philosophical approach to artistic creation as  “Tensisme”:  “a concept proposal to attain a precise knowledge of a world which escapes us and constitutes an introspective psychology of an exceptional and not reachable ME, that of the artist”. 1948 is a tragic year as one of his sons dies accidentally at a young age. His paintings reflect the distress of a father : “La mort du petit masque” (“Death of the small mask”). There are difficult times. Once again facing bankruptcy, he moves to Valbonne with Renée and their newly-born son. He wants to give his son an education following Rousseau’s principles: “ in the heart of nature”. His life becomes calmer and he holds exhibits regularly at la Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs in Valbonne. Although painting remains his passion, he works as an architect and a builder. On Sunday afternoons, he meets with his admirers. He exhibits at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes and becomes also known in his parents country of origin, Denmark. He fights against the style of the period, refusing commercialisation of his paintings. His concept of art, his style, distance him from precious contacts. Marginalised, he prefers secrecy while awaiting artistic recognition. Sadly, his muse Renée, who was a fierce defender of his beliefs, dies at the age of 45. His studio becomes his refuge. He dies suddenly on April 11, 1969 without leaving a will. All his works of art are claimed by the State and scattered. Frandsen leaves over 500 paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, a collection of poems and an essay on “ Tensisme”. His work is composed mainly of portraits, stillife subjects, compositions which can surprise or even disturb, inviting the audience to penetrate his imaginary and visionary world. Women are depicted for their beauty, suffering, cruelty and hope. Exhibitions 1937 : Salon d’automne 1950-54 : Chapelle des Pénitents noirs - Valbonne (South of France) 1956 : Palais des festivals de Cannes 2006-2007-2008 : Salon des Artistes Indépendants Illustration : Layla, for Eric Clapton’s famous L.P. Bibliography : - Akoun ( Artists’listing 19th/ 20th century), Editions La Cote de l’Amateur. - Bénézit 2006 - Website : www.peintre-emile-frandsen.com