Sven Brasch

Sven Brasch was born in Sealand, Denmark to a master house painter in 1886. After Brasch finished school, he went on to work at his father's firm. Then, at the tender age of 21 he had various drawings published in many small magazines.

Finally being able to get his works published, he was starting to get recognized as adesigner of posters and drawings in the Danish magazines from 1910-1912.

During WWI, he produced popular movie posters usually showcasing lean and slender women on the front.

His designs were an important influence to Early Art deco in European graphic arts.

Throughout the 1920s he made himself a name as a dandy, or rather a handsome and elegant artist in Copenhagen's high society.

With his success as a well known artist, came a rush of great creativity (this lead to his making a poster a week, and many commercial drawings.)

He was awarded a gold medal for his brilliant posters in 1925 at the Paris exhibition.
"The Danish designer, Sven Brasch, is producing some of the most distinguished posters of to-day" says Sidney R. Jones, the author of Posters and Publicity, in 1926.



Sven Brasch's career took a turn for the worst in the 1930s because of the slew of new artists that were arriving. By the time World War II broke out, Brasch had no work to do. His last commercial drawings were presented in 1956.

He died in 1970 at the age of 84 in Glostrup near Copenhagen - almost forgotten.

For the first time ever, an outstanding book about Sven Brasch is out. "Master of the Poster - The Draughtsman Sven Brasch", is a riveting account of the life of the artist.

It tells the story of an intriguing personality, the handsome dandy, the passionate admirer of women and elegance and family man.

This story also depicts life in the small metro-polis of Copenhagen before and after World War II, and we are introduced to the people Sven Brasch crossed paths with during his long career as Scandinavias leading advertising artist.

This book also displays the impressive body of work Sven Brasch produced during his lifelong career; posters, drawings, and a variety of commercial artwork. With more than 300 illustrations the book reads as a comprehensive guide to this great artists work.

Buy the book