Article
Authors: Allison Sheridan (Iowa State University) , Edie Hunter (Iowa State University)
Chronology for Christian Petersen's life and work (1885–today).
Keywords:
How to Cite: Sheridan, A. & Hunter, E. (2024) “Christian Petersen Chronology”, Christian Petersen Catalogue Raisonné.
The major events in the life of Christian Petersen have been adapted from various sources, including Christian Petersen Remembered by Patricia Lounsbury Bliss, the scholarship of Lea Rosson DeLong, as well as available public information. Where discrepancies exist, an explanation is offered with citation.
Indented points relate to global events and Petersen’s sphere of influence as it relates to other important artists and individuals.
Christian Petersen born February 25 at Dybbøl in Schleswig region of Denmark.
Augustus Saint-Gaudens taught at Art Students League, New York City.
Emigrated from Denmark with his parents (Peter and Helene) and siblings Anna Fredrica (1888–1984) and Peter (1891–1963). After three years living near Paxton, Illinois, the family moved to a farm near Newark, New Jersey. (farm near New Jersey coast, (Bliss pg. 3). Anna later lived in Whitehouse, NJ.
James Earle Fraser became studio assistant for Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
Petersen paints Death of First Born, oil on canvas, his earliest known two-dimensional work of art.
June 11, recorded in unnumbered house on Runyon Street, Essex County, NJ in the home of Peter Petersen (freight yard porter, 41), Helena (no occupation listed, 41), Christian (at school, 15), Peter (at school, 13), Anna (at school, 11). Birth nation listed for all as “Germany.” (U.S. Census)
Petersen enters the Newark Technical and Fine Arts School of New Jersey, beginning a two-year study as an apprentice in die-cutting and graduating at age 17.
Petersen sculpts and casts a silver medal and bronze version, Min Moder (My Mother) as his earliest known three-dimensional medallic work of art.
Petersen begins working as a steel engraver and die-cutter while attending night classes at Fawcett School of Design in Newark for the next two years.
James Earle Fraser opens his own studio. He begins teaching at New York Art Students League in 1906 and later becomes its director.