Lea Fredrika Ahlborn (néeLundgren) (18 February 1826 – 13 November 1897) was aSwedish artist andmedallist.[1] She was a member of theRoyal Swedish Academy of Arts and the first woman to be appointed royalprintmaker. The position of royal printmaker was counted as a public office, and thereby made her the first female official or civil servant in Sweden.[2]
She was the child of engraver and medalist Ludwig Peterssen Lundgren (1789–1853)[3] and his wife the artist Rebecca Johanna Salmson (1797–1861). Her mother was the daughter of German-born sculptor Salm Salmson (1766–1822) and the sister of medal designer Johan Salmson (1798–1859).[4]
Lea Ahlborn early decided to follow her father in his profession. In 1849, together withAmalia Lindegren,Jeanette Möller andAgnes Börjesson, she became one of the four women who were given special permission to study art at theRoyal Swedish Academy of Arts (Swedish:Kungliga Akademien för de fria konsterna), which was then not yet officially open to women students, although female students were accepted with special dispensation.[5]
In 1851, she made a study trip toParis with her academy instructorCarl Gustaf Qvarnström (1810–1867) and her brother Pehr Henrik Lundgren (1824–1855), where she trained with the sculptorArmand Toussaint (1806–1862), sculptorJean-Auguste Barre (1811–1896) and her maternal uncle, Johan Salmson.[6][7]
In 1853, she returned to Sweden. That same year her father died, and she functioned as royal printmaker while awaiting the return of her brother, who decided to take over their father's position. However, her brother subsequently died while in Paris. In 1855, she was appointed royal printmaker and elected as a member in the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts. She kept herself updated in everything regarding her work, and was given assignments from theSwedish Academy,Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and theRoyal Swedish Pro Patria Society in Stockholm and byEmpress Eugenie of France.[8]
In 1881, she made the medal portraits for the celebration of the wedding of the future KingGustav V and QueenVictoria. She was hired by theGovernment of the United States to make the medal ofGeorge Washington in 1883 for the centenary of the end of theAmerican War of Independence and in 1892 for the celebration ofChristopher Columbus' discovery of America.[9][8]
Her sister,Carolina Weidenhayn, (1822–1902), became the first professional femalexylographer, who after studies in Paris 1858–1867, became an instructor (1859–1881) at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (Tekniska Skolan) (nowKonstfack) inStockholm, Sweden.[10]
Lea Ahlborn married German-born ornamental sculptor Karl Henrik Fredrik Martin Ahlborn (1819–1895). They were the parents of several children including Carl Gustaf Ahlborn (1857–1932) who served as commander of theKarlskrona Coastal Artillery Regiment. She was a member of the women's associationNya Idun.[11] In 1892, she was awarded the Swedish Royal MedalIllis Quorum by KingOscar II of Sweden. She entered retirement on 28 May 1897.[8]
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