character gallery.

CHARACTER GALLERY

THE JENSEN FAMILY

Mabel Jensen, 80. The widow of late Arnold Jensen and mother of Philip. The real matriarch of the house. British-born merchant daughter who married a Danish newly rich and moved to Copenhagen with him, like Sharon did later. Has inspired his tea import/enterprise and often helped him choose the right products to sell. Only had one child, Philip, but a few miscarriages. Has embraced Sharon completely, though she teases her about being American and supports her art endeavours 100 percent. Dislikes Thyra and the two have a kind of competition going about who gets to make the calls.
Philip Jensen, 59. Tea distributor and merchant, owning the biggest tea salon in Copenhagen, AJ The, named after his father, Arnold Jensen, who founded it. A jovial man who has welcomed his son's American wife with open arms, being the son of an English woman himself and speaking a fluent English, having traveled to London often on business. He also has supported his son in his pursuit of the arts from he was very young and done everything to buy him passage into the artistic milieu, something that has finally begun yielding results.
Thyra Jensen, 53. The matriarch of the family. She had initially wanted Sylvester to marry the then oldest daughter of the Ibsen family, Laura, who is now married to Steen-Ole Kristensen, somewhat of a scandal since she's older than him. She doesn't like Sharon and finds her artwork disturbing and perverse. A very pious woman who expects everyone to live by her moral compass.
Sylvester Jensen, 34. The oldest child and only son of the Jensen family. Was expected to take over the tea business, but would rather pursue the arts which his father has supported him in doing, instead passing the torch of the family business to Nelly's husband, Klaus. He was sent to the US to become a student of famous naturalist painter, Charles Farwell, and worked with him for three years, gaining a lot of attention and experience. Here, he met Sharon, working as her private tutor, and the two fell in love over their shared fascination and interest in the newly emerging style, expressionism. She agreed to return to Denmark with him and marry him there, and he was certain his family would become her family, too. Speaks a perfect English.
Nelly Huus née Jensen, 30. Oldest daughter of the Jensen family and marries to Klaus Huus (34), a merchant who is now working for her father. She has two children, twins, that she spends most of her time caring for. They live in a town house not far from the Jensen mansion house on Amager.
Dagmar Andersen née Jensen, 27. Youngest child and second daughter of the Jensen family, married to royal officer, Lauritz. Has been married for four years and still hasn't produced a child which concerns everyone, including herself. An otherwise carefree, gentle girl who adopts Sharon and becomes a dear friend of her. Lives close to Amalienborg, due to Lauritz' work.
Sharon Jensen née Davis, 24. [ See here. ]

THE DAVIS FAMILY

Laurie Davis, 55. Violist in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and a small-name composer who has brought music into the family and would often fill the evenings with viola-accompanied singing sessions along with his wife. Has a very close bond with Sharon and was extremely saddened to see her leave for Denmark, but allowed it because he thought it would make her happy. They correpond regularly, at least once a month.
Violet Davis, 50. Former semi-famous soprano, now singing teacher at a local conservatory. Somewhat of a drama queen with a completely different disposition than Sharon. She had expected her daughter to pursue opera like herself and was initially against her artistic pursuits, but allowed it because Laurie allowed it and supported it. Never showed great interest in her talents, however.
Terry Davis, 34. Oldest son and firstborn of the Davis family. Picked up viola like his father and now works as a freelance musician and big-name composer. Married to Irene.
Oliver Davis, 31. Youngest son of the Davis family and seven years older than Sharon. Plays the piano and works in the New York City Philharmonic Orchestra along with his father, though only as a stand-in, still. Unmarried for unknown reasons, though Sharon has long suspected that he's more interested in men than women.

THE KRISTENSEN FAMILY

Hugo Kristensen, 51. General in the royal navy and one of the most prominent figures in Copenhagen. A strict, decisive gentleman who rules his family with an iron fist.
Edith Kristensen, 47. His meak and mild-mannered wife.
Steen-Ole Kristensen, 27. Oldest son of the Kristensen family and an independent architect. Married to Sylvester's original love interest, Laura, who's older than him by four years and gets ridiculed for it. They love each other honestly. No children.
Svend Kristensen, 24. Second son of the Kristensen family and the one who has followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a decorated officer in the navy. Unmarried.
Vera Kristensen, 19. Youngest child and only daughter of the Kristensen family. They're beginning to introduce her to suitors, but she's completely uninterested. Just wants to be an architect like her older brother and has plenty of talent for it, but doesn't get the schooling or mentoring she needs. Has been known to run away from her parents' mansion at night, dressed in boy's clothes and disappear into the Copenhagen underground where no one knows what she does while there. Her parents are desperately trying to make her take on more feminine and womanly pursuits, but she's stubborn and self-reliant and finds her own way. Becomes a model for Sharon. Love interest.

OTHERS

Bianca Damsgaard née Ingerslev, 26. One of Sharon's models who becomes a close friend to her. Married to an actor who's beginning to rise to fame. A wild, good-humoured girl who loves spending money and go to theatre performances and concerts. Fills Sharon's life with music and entertainment. Also helps her with her Danish through a trial-and-error approach. No children.
Nina Winther, 25. One of Sharon's models, unmarried and a close friend. She is plum and has some scars from a burn accident she was in as a child, which she herself thinks is the reason she can't find a husband. Shows interest in Sharon's painting and starts taking lessons from her, showing immediate talent for the art form. Sharon keeps supporting her as she pursues this path.
Joseph Levy, 44. Sharon's only remaining sponsor after she moves to Denmark. A Jewish gentleman who has shown interest in her work since she was young. He owns several of her paintings and, as an art dealer and collector, he makes sure her name isn't forgotten in American art circles. She keeps sending him paintings to evaluate, give feedback on and maybe buy. Eventually, he visits Europe and comes to Copenhagen to talk to associates about giving her the opportunity for an exhibition. They correspond frequently over her work process and results.