Visual Arts

Icelandic 20th Century Painting

Painting as such can hardly be said to have been practised in Iceland before the beginning of the twentieth century. The country's landscape in its eternal variety was the main subject of the generation of artists at the turn of the century – as it is with the young artists of today, in certain variations on the theme, a century later.

The giant of Icelandic painting is Jóhannes Kjarval. He is most renowned for paintings where he scrutinises the details of the natural landscape, examining the colours in moss and rocks. In a way you could say he discovered the beauty of the country for his nation. He was also the epitome of the bohemian romantic artist as is amply illustrated by the many still told anecdotes of his eccentric ways and his curious comments.

Other artists worthy of mention are Erro, who lives in Paris. Another artist is Sigurður Guðmundsson who has worked in Holland. His work is displayed in galleries worldwide. Louisa Matthíasdóttir lived in New York and painted enchanting representations of deep green Icelandic nature. There's plenty to choose from.

Examples of Icelandic Painting

Thórarinn B. Thorláksson (1867-1924) Morning in Laugardalur, 1923	Jón Stefánsson (1881-1962) Mt. Skjaldbreiður, 1937
Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1927) Summer Night at Thingvellir, 1931	Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958) Mt. Hekla, 1927

Icelandic art takes root in the thoughts of modernism of Europe and America. On one hand, many of the Icelandic artists have studied abroad and were thus influenced by new art concepts and movements in Europe and America. They then introduce new artistic styles to the Icelandic art scene. On the other hand, many intellectuals and artists took refuge in Iceland during the Wars and they contributed much to nurturing the culture and art of Iceland. In the last hundred and fifty years alone, Iceland has produced some notable artists, particularly in the field of painting and sculpture.Evolved from the landscape painting in the Post-Impressionist style in the early period, Icelandic art has developed diversified artistic nowadays. Artists are enthusiastic in merging the culture and geographical characteristics of Iceland with new ideas of art into a unique and distinctive artistic style.

Sculpture
When the first National Day celebration was held in Iceland in 1874, the Danish nation gave Iceland a self-portrait of the great sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), whose father was Icelandic. It was erected in Austurvoll Square in 1875, and was the first outdoor sculpture in Reykjavík. Other notable sculptures in Reykjavík include a 1907 monument of the poet Jonas Hallgrimsson by Icelandic sculptor Einar Jonsson and "Motherlove" by Nina Sæmundsson, which was erected in 1928.

The National Einar Jónsson Gallery (Listasafn Einars Jónssonar), contains works donated to the State by Iceland's first professional sculptor (d. 1954); the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum (Ásmundarsafn), a bequest to the city of sculptures by this artist (d. 1982) which forms part of the Reykjavík Municipal Art Museum; There is a private museum housing sculptures by Sigurjón Ólafsson (d. 1982). All these galleries are housed in the studios where these artists produced most of their life's work.

Adapted from "Iceland - The Republic", Handbook published by the Central Bank of Iceland, ed. by Mr. Jóhannes Nordal and Mr. Valdimar Kristinsson, Reykjavik 1996. The Ministry is responsible for the adapted texts.