Abstractionist Alfred Julio Jensen used rich color and thick paint in geometric designs that ranged from suggestions of symbolism and abstract-expressionism to minimalism.

He was born in 1903 in Guatemala City of Danish, German and Polish heritage. Before eventually graduating from the Fine Arts School in San Diego, Jensen had experienced various travels and vocations. From seven to fourteen years of age, he studied in Denmark, then went to sea, later farming in Guatemala.

Jensen was one of those fortunate artists who found a wealthy patron, thus relieving him of the necessity of earning a living. He met Saidie May in Munich, Germany, where he had gone, after San Diego, to study the traditional drawing s...