The Danish editions of the Harry Potter books feature some of the darkest interpretations of Harry’s story. Per Jørgensen designed the original children’s editions, populating his atmospheric paintings with unsettling creatures and characters, some modelled on friends and family. The 2012 editions feature compositions with more abstract photographic and digital elements.
Philosopher’s Stone (Book 1)
Harry Potter og De Vises Sten was first published in Denmark in 1998. The original children’s edition surrounds Harry with magical objects and creatures, with Hogwarts Castle visible in the distance. Jørgensen based Harry’s appearance on a neighbourhood boy who posed for him. The painting also contains an error spotted by a young fan: Harry has only four fingers on his wand hand.
The cover also credits the author as ‘Joanne K. Rowling’, changed to the familiar ‘J.K. Rowling’ for Chamber of Secrets.
The 2012 edition features a blue atmospheric composition including Hogwarts Castle on a stormy night and an owl.
View all Philosopher’s Stone book covers →
Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
Harry Potter og Hemmelighedernes Kammer was first published in Denmark in 1999. The original children’s edition shows Harry playing Quidditch, with a giant snake (a cobra in this interpretation) in the background. Jørgensen used the same child (reportedly named Erik) as his model for Harry, but with the correct number of fingers this time.
The 2012 edition features an atmospheric red composition with a snake and sword, iconography which is common across Chamber of Secrets cover artwork.
View all Chamber of Secrets book covers →
Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
Harry Potter og Fangen fra Azkaban was first published in Denmark in 1999. The original children’s edition shows Harry and Hermione riding Buckbeak the Hippogriff, an incredibly similar composition to the original UK and US children’s covers, and a scene featured on more ‘Azkaban’ cover artworks than you can shake a wand at.
Buckbeak again features on the 2012 edition, albeit as a shadowy silhouette set against a castle turret.
View all Prisoner of Azkaban book covers →
Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Harry Potter og Flammernes Pokal was first published in Denmark in 2000. The original children’s edition shows Harry during the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament, a scene which also appears on a number of international covers, including the Chinese, Dutch and Bulgarian. Jørgensen’s merpeople feel incredibly creepy for a children’s book, a sinister tone he carries through the remaining three covers.
The 2012 edition features the Durmstrang ship and a merperson.
View all Goblet of Fire book covers →
Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Harry Potter og Fønixordenen was first published in Denmark in 2003. The original children’s edition shows Harry alongside a number of Thestrals, illustrated with suitably creepy, lifeless eyes. Jørgensen produced an alternate cover for the 2004 book club version of Order of the Phoenix, showing Harry riding a Thestral.
The 2012 edition features a phoenix silhouette and a crystal ball.
View all Order of the Phoenix book covers →
Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
Harry Potter og Halvblodsprinsen was first published in Denmark in 2005. Jørgensen’s original children’s edition features perhaps the creepiest illustration of any international book cover, showing several Inferi in the lake. Those reanimated corpses are actually based on Jørgensen, his wife, and their two daughters.
The 2012 edition features a unicorn, a symbol which has little connection to the sixth Harry Potter story.
View all Half-Blood Prince book covers →
Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
Harry Potter og Dødsregalierne was first published in Denmark in 2007. The original children’s edition depicts the Battle of Hogwarts and an assortment of defenders, including house-elves and animated statues. Jørgensen’s initial cover concept was going to show Hagrid carrying Harry’s lifeless body out of the Forbidden Forest, but he felt the image would be too unsettling for children, especially when blown up on a banner at a launch event.
The 2012 edition features a red dragon silhouette and castle turrets.
