When I find myself marveling at an astounding museum exhibit, I'm usually standing in New York City—if not farther afield. But, just this week, I found myself mesmerized by wonderful art right here in the Steel City. The Frick Museum, here in Pittsburgh, presented a compelling exhibit called The Scandinavian Home: Landscape and Lore. It comprised a collection of over 100 pieces—paintings, pottery, textiles, furniture and other decorative objets—from David and Susan Werner's collection of Scandinavian works of art and craft.
Of course, the art was beautiful. Just as important: the Frick Museum displayed the works in the way art always should be displayed—paintings, hanging over period furniture, resting upon period rugs, near collections of period ceramics. Most artists don't make their art to hang on a sterile gallery wall; in fact, art is most often created to decorate someone's home—in a setting filled with other beautiful, decorative objects. Seeing works—all types of works—arranged together in a space gives viewers a fuller understanding of the period and the character of the movement. It allows the viewer to make connections and expand his or her understanding of the time period on display.
Shown above, Full Moon in Early Summer by Harald Slott-Møller (Danish, 1894). Like so many great Scandinavian painters, Slott-Møller captures wonderfully the very specific and beautiful Northern light (soft and low-slung). It should be pointed-out that this painting captures the scene in the middle of the night—during the season of the Midnight Sun. In late June, Northerners enjoy a period of "White Nights" when the Sun may never set completely. One of the things that distinguishes Scandinavian paintings is the very specific portrayal of light—so abundant at certain times, so wanting at other times.
Today we'll show you a few pieces from the Werner collection of Scandinavian paintings—each which depicts the light and atmosphere and nature which so-informs the Scandinavian People. In the following days, we'll share other types of interesting art and decorative art.
Another expansive Danish vista, Summer Landscape at Karrebeæksminde (c. 1910) by Laurits Andersen Ring. While the scene appears barren and untouched, if fact, Ring's father-in-law, the famous ceramicist Herman Kähler, owned the ceramics factory which was not far from this site.
Väinö Blomstedt's Forest Lake (Finnish, 1903) captures the evergreen Nordic themes of nature and light. But, such a painting also helped to define the Finnish national identity at a time when Finland was chafing under Russian domination. Within 15 years of the painting of this picture, Finland would finally achieve its independence (1917).
A word about Scandinavia. Technically, the term "Scandinavia" includes only Denmark, Norway and Sweden. When Finland (and Iceland) is added to the grouping, the proper term in "Nordic." However, in the world of art and design, all five countries do share overlapping artistic themes and aesthetic concepts—so the term "Scandinavian" is sometimes used a bit informally in this respect.
And, because I sometimes love the frames as much as I love the paintings they surround, here's a close-up shot of a particularly handsome Finnish picture frame.
Nordic Summers enjoy several nights of the Midnight Sun. Alas, six months later, Scandinavians will endure Winter days when the sun never peeks over the horizon. Such may be the case in this Swedish landscape called Sunset at Värmland (c. 1900) by Otto Hesselbom. Värmland is a landscap (a county) in Southwestern Sweden, not far from Oslo, Norway. A cozy cabin is nested in the deep snow—while a red horizon indicates the final moments of the day's Winter light. Perhaps it's one of very few moments of natural light these Swedes enjoyed that day.
Europeans or North Americans may view this picture and assume it depicts a Winter landscape. But Finns will recognize that the melting snow means only one thing: Spring is coming! Melting Snow in Birch Forest was painted by Beda Stjernschantz in 1893. She was a self-supporting Finnish painter who struggled financially and emotionally. Despite the painting's Springtime promise of warmth and light, she committed suicide in 1910, at the age of 42. She painted this landscape while studying at the Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts. The subject of snow and birch trees would be considered highly patriotic to the Finnish People.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.