Evening star., 1952-10-12
Art News
Norwegian Art
On Exhibition
By florence S. Berrxman

One thousand years Of Nor
wegian decorative painting are
illustrated in an exhibition just
opened at the National Collec-
ton of Fine Arts, in the foyer
Of the Natural History Building,
Constitution avenue at Tenth
street, to remain through Octo-
ber 80. The show Is under the
patronage Of H. E. the Ambas-
sador from Norway, Mr.. VIII
helm Munthe de Morgenstierne.
Arranged by the Norwegian
Artists Guild, it comprises $50
large Photographic reproduc-
tions Of Norway's decorative
art. beginning with tapestries
from the 9th century Viking
ships, and extending to Per
Krohg's monumental painting
for the q. N. Security Council
Chamber In New York. This is
the third exhibition from Scan
dinavia to be shown at the
National Museum in the past
half year. It was preceded by
displays from Finland and
Sweden.
The current exhibitions OBJ
jective is to acquaint the people
of the United States with the
painting of Norway, whose lit
erature and music are better
known in this country. The
Phillips Gallery gave us a COM
prehensive survey Of the art Of
Edward Munich a few seasons
ago. and there have been group
shows Of Scandinavian art in
cluding Norwegian work. But
a panorama such as is now on
view. has not been attempted
heretofore.
Eorly Tapestries
The Photographic survey be-
gins with tapestries found in a
Viking ship excavated near Oslo
in 1904. Dating from about $50
A.D.. it contained the remains
Of q queen and a hoard of her
belongings for use in her next
life. In 872, King Harold the
Fairhaired united Norway. ush-
ering in a dramatic epoch,
marked by the impact of Chris
tianity on the old Nordic re-
ligion, and the country's ancient
culture, with influences from
Scotland and Ireland.
Christianity was recognized as
the official religion of Norway
In 1890. Thenceforward. in
f1uenceS from France and Eng
land were transformed into the
Norwegian culture. Outstand-
ing examples are the stave-
churches, masterpieces of wood
architecture, with elements Of
heathen heritage and Roman
influence.
For several centuries Norway
was important in Northern
European history. and Bergen
was the leading city along the
North Sea. Over the shrine Of
the sainted King Olav in Trond-
helm was built an impressive
cathedral, showing early Gothic
influences from Wales and Eng
land.
Art in Peosont Homes
Politically, Norway declined
after the union with Denmark
and Sweden in the 14th CEN
tury. But Norwegian folkarts
continued vital. In the 18th
and 17th centuries. Norway's
export of timber and sawmill
products brought a wave Of
prosperity. reflected in the color
full decoration Of peasant homes.
Baroque and Renaissance in
fluences were absorbed and
varied from valley to valley.
Prosperity had an interesting
effect on urban architecture.
Norway was then as dependent
on Denmark, as was colonial
North America on England. But
both Norway aid the American
colonies based their architecture
on the use Of wood, their nat
ural resource. whereas the arch
itecture of Europe at that time
was founded on stone.
In 1914, the Constituent As
sembly of Eidsvold gave Nor
way the most liberal constitu-
tion in Europe, following our
own Declaration of Independ-
ence and Constitution. Mean
while, the Napoleonic wars
deeply injured Norway's econ
omy. More than 100000 Nor
wegians migrated to the United
States during the past century.
including some Of the most
gifted artists. Pioneer life in
our Midwest was too rugged for
their artistic skills to flourish.
Despite its poverty. Norway