Nordic-American Decorative Art: The Bronze Work of Carl Sorensen

Carl Sorensen remains a mysterious yet influential figure in 20th-century decorative arts. Born in Denmark, he arrived in the U.S. in 1928—the same year Buffalo’s Albright Art Gallery hosted its Nordic Art exhibition featuring Georg Jensen silver. This moment likely led to Sorensen’s recruitment by Georg Jensen Handcraft Silver and marked the beginning of his connection to New York’s craft community.

In 1932, he was a chairperson for the “Exposition of Nationalities for Centennial” at the Buffalo Science Museum. Then in 1933, Sorensen’s bronze vessels appeared in a WPA-sponsored exhibition alongside works from the New York Society of Craftsmen, prompting his membership soon after. His work following, was then exhibited in the Western New York region and embraced by its collectors.

Since his passing, a powerful mythos has taken hold—dealers, auction houses, and collectors across the country routinely describe Sorensen as a Roycroft affiliate with roots in WNY. While unsupported by documentation, this belief has become a vernacular truth, reflecting how deeply his work resonates with the region’s artistic identity.

This exhibition honors both the facts and the folklore. Fifty-five objects from the Louise Schoene Collection celebrate Sorensen’s legacy and his place in Western New York’s creative story.