Fascinating Norway: Landscape Painting from Romanticism to Modernism

The Kunst der Westküste Collection encompasses works devoted to the theme of the Norwegian landscape. Thus around 50 paintings and several graphic works by artists ranging from Johan Christian Dahl to Edvard Munch and from Peder Balke to Frits Thaulow will be exhibited together for the first time.

Johan Christian Dahl (1788–1857) is considered the father of modern Norwegian landscape painting. His art is seen as a spontaneous translation of the experience of nature into the motion of painting, and it quickly became highly esteemed in Europe. Academic professors like Hans Gude (1825–1903) and Andreas Achenbach (1815–1910) also played an important role in popularising the Norway picture in Europe. Edvard Munch (1863–1944) moved away from the pure landscape and, with him, international modern art took on the momentum it required. The related key art historical junctures in the development of Norwegian landscape painting from Romanticism to modern art can thus be illustrated on the basis of the Kunst der Westküste Collection. Contemporary Norwegian positions exploring the theme of “landscape” – especially by artists like A K Dolven, Dag Erik Elgin and Rune Guneriussen – enter into a dialogue with the works from the collection.

Kilde: Museum Kunst der Westküste