Asger Jorn was born in the Danish town of Vejrum on March 3rd, 1914, and grew up to be a prolific artist of many disciplines which included painting, sculpture, book illustration, drawing and ceramics. In 1948, along with five other artists, Jorn co-founded COBRA, an important avant-garde art movement which, despite existing for only three years, made quite an impression in post-war Europe. His work was exhibited in many countries. In 1964, Jorn discovered that he had won the Guggenheim International Award, for which he was to be given $2,500.

He rejected it by telegram.

MR. GUGGENHEIM. GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION N.Y.

GO TO HELL WITH YOUR MONEY BASTARD. REFUSE PRICE. NEVER ASKED FOR IT. AGAINST ALL DECENSY MIX ARTIST AGAINST HIS WILL IN YOUR PUBLICITY. I WANT PUBLIC CONFIRMATION NOT TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN YOUR RIDICULOUS GAME. JORN

Excerpted from the second volume of Letters of Note, first published in 2015. More info here.