History: Spirit of the North – Nordic Romantic Art

We will begin with the problem facing Nordic painters in the early 19th century, of how to depict northern sensibilities in relation to the romantic landscape experience, previously dominated by the Mediterranean world view. Training outside of Scandinavia was necessary, initially in Germany, leading to the idealist composite landscapes of C. D. Friedrich.

Early exponents of this school coming under the German influence especially J. C. Dahl founded the National Romantic Movement which sought to depict Nordic landscape as an expression of Northern people and their values.

By mid-century, French painters and their outdoor technique of painting began to take over as the main influence on Nordic painters, who would then take this approach back to their home countries and apply it in realist paintings.

From realism grew Impressionism, which had a brief popularity amongst Nordic painters, but it was not long before Symbolism (the term in Swedish is more accurate - Stȁmningsmaleri – mood or evocative painting) was felt to be better able to convey the Scandinavian spiritual affinity with nature.

By the 1880s Nordic art had come to full maturity in a Golden Age expressing a joyous affirmation of Northerness.

The course will include illustrated lectures with discussion throughout.