Ib Bluitgen
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1921 - 2013 Ib Bluitgen received a silver medal, the top honor, from the Georg Jensen Silversmithy where he trained as a silversmith. Additionally, before working in the design department of Georg Jensen Silversmithy in 1948, Mr. Bluitgen studied from 1945-1948 at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Sculpture. After graduation, he began his work in the Georg Jensen Silversmithy design department in 1948, became the head of the design department in 1950, and stayed in this department until 1961, when he opened his own studio. Mr. Bluitgen’s works were notable for their very Danish and modern designs, earning him awards at the 1954 Milan Triennale and in 1976, the Statens Kunstfornd Prize. An active member of the group Danish Silversmiths - which hold exhibitions all over the world of their works - as well as one of the founders of the Danish Crafts Council, Mr. Bluitgen’s designs have been exhibited in Europe, North America, and recently at the prominent Kolding Museum in Denmark as part of the “Dansk Solv 2000” exhibit.
Ib Bluitgen finished his silversmiths apprenticeship at Georg Jensen in 1941 with a silver medal. From 1945-1948 he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Arts under Einar Utzon-Frank, then proceeded to Paris to continue his studies. In 1948 he exhibited at the Artist's Autumn Exhibition as a sculptor, before being employed later in the same year at Georg Jensen. He started out as a close employee of the present artistic leader Harald Nielsen.
In 1950 Bluitgen became the leader of Georg Jensen's design studio. And from 1950-1961 he was part of the group of architects, designers and artisans that made Mid-Century Danish design world famous.
He left Georg Jensen in 1961 and opened his own studio in Birkeroed the same year. After leaving Georg Jensen he continued to design gold and silver hollowware, as well as designing within other areas.
Bluitgen has had several major exhibitions in Milan, Paris, London and New York and is represented at Koldinghus Museum and the Design Museum Denmark.