Bente Scavenius

Bente Christina Brønnum Scavenius (born 12 December 1944, in Stockholm) is a Danish art historian, art critic and author. She has taught at the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University, and has written more than 20 books. She has also been a member of numerous public and private committees and boards of directors of cultural institutions in Denmark.

She is the daughter of land owner Carl Christian Brønnum Scavenius, who owned Klintholm Gods, and a relative of former Prime Minister Erik Scavenius. She is married to actor Joen Bille (of the noble Bille family), who is a son of Irene Ibsen Bille and a descendant of Henrik Ibsen, Sigurd Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. She is the mother of actress Beate Bille.

Scavenius has a mag.art. degree in history of art.

• 2012 – Order of the Dannebrog
• 2004 – N. L. Høyen Medal
• 2003 – Ingeniør B Sunds kulturpris
• 2002 – Ole Haslunds Hæderslegat
• 1997 – Den Danske Publicistklubs jubilæumslegat
• 1998 – Ørelæge Valdemar Klein og Hustru Læge Johanne Kleins Legat
• 1995 – Møn-Prisen
• 1994 – Denmark's candidate for Europe's Women's Prize
• 1992 – Rosenkjærprisen
• 1991 – H.K.H. Prinsens Fond
• 1984 – Ole Haslunds Kunstnerfond