Anna Thommesen: Weavings

Spotlighting an under-recognized textile artist whose minimalist rugs helped shape the course of modernist design within Denmark and beyond

This book is the first publication in English on the Danish weaver Anna Thommesen (1908-2004), who is best known for her minimalistic, geometric rugs. Although Thommesen has long been an established name in Danish modernism, the global significance of her work has never been fully explored until now.
Lavishly illustrated, this anthology presents a large portion of Thommesen's oeuvre, examining it from different perspectives. The book offers a close look at Thommesen's creative practice, delving into the connection of her work to nature, and examines her worldview and artistic position in the light of biographical material and other sources. Special attention is paid to Thommesen's large-scale public commissions, including her weavings for the Danish Parliament (1968-72) and for Roskilde Cathedral (1975-77). The book also addresses the teaching she undertook for the Jutland Art Academy from 1965 to 1972, where she headed a weaving school, which became a unique environment for textile art in Denmark. Finally, the book takes a fresh look at Thommesen's position in art history, particularly in relation to both Danish modern design and the field of 20th-century textile art.