Helge Ernst

Helge Ernst (27 January 1916 – 8 January 1991) was a Danish painter, graphic artist and art communicator, born in Copenhagen to bookbinder Frederik Ernst and Dagmar Martine Christense Sørensen. He studied at Frederiksberg Technical School from 1940 to 1941. ​

Ernst made his debut in 1938 at the Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling and became a member of the artists' association Koloristerne in 1956 and of Grønningen in 1965. His early work was influenced by artists such as Niels Lergaard and Erik Hoppe, with a focus on still lifes, landscapes and human figures. In the 1950s his style evolved towards a more abstract approach, combining naturalistic and abstract elements.​

In addition to his artistic work, Ernst was active as an art critic and writer, including as a reviewer for the newspaper Politiken from 1974 to 1981. He also made short films on subjects such as Picasso's "Guernica" (1962) and the Danish painter Oluf Høst (1964). From 1975 to 1988 he was an advisor for the Bornholms Kunstmuseum and published the book "Bornholmermalerne" in 1984. ​

Ernst received several awards, including the Prix National at the Festival International de Peinture in Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1971 and the LO's Cultuurprijs in 1983. His work is represented in several Danish museums, such as the Statens Museum for Kunst and the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum. ​

Helge Ernst died on 8 January 1991 in Grevinge and is buried at Holmens Kirkegård in Copenhagen.