Mads Rafte Hein (b. 1977) is a Danish artist known for his vibrant, detail-rich paintings that merge past and present in playful and surreal ways. Educated as a graphic designer at Copenhagen Technical College and further trained under artists such as Grethe Bagge, Bjørn Poulsen, Peter Carlsen, and Peter Nansen Scherfig, Hein has developed a distinctive visual language. His works often depict lavish interiors and still lifes in bright pastel tones—pink, turquoise, and yellow—filled with eclectic objects ranging from classic furnishings to unexpected modern details. By combining references from Golden Age painting, photography, collage, literature, and film, he creates layered compositions that mix curiosity and discovery. Hein’s paintings strike a balance between humor and drama, the ordinary and the fantastical, making his art both accessible and thought-provoking. In recent years, his “Inside-Outside” series expanded his focus from interiors to imaginative interpretations of the natural world, yet always with his recognizable touch of whimsy. He has exhibited widely in Denmark, including Charlottenborg’s Spring Exhibition, as well as internationally, with recent shows in Germany, Italy, China and France. His works are represented in private collections and art associations, and continue to attract collectors drawn to his bold use of color, intricate detail, and playful narratives.