Background
Born in Copenhagen, Christensen was the son of a wholesaler.
Born in Copenhagen, Christensen was the son of a wholesaler.
He is however primarily remembered as a highly proficient graphic artist, not only for his woodcuts and engravings but for his contributions to overall book design. After attending Copenhagen"s Technical School, he entered the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, first studying painting under Ejnar Nielsen and Aksel Jørgensen (1926-1928) and then graphic arts, also under Jørgensen (1930-1938), including woodcuts, etching and lithography. While at the Academy, he demonstrated expertise in both figure painting and landscapes.
He continued to practice painting although in 1933, at the age of just 24, he created his first published illustrations producing excellent woodcuts for Steen Steensen Blicher"s Brudstykker af en Landsbydegns Dagbog (Diary of a Parish Clerk).