Scandinavian Folk Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive)

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Scandinavian folk art is very particular. It has developed rather separately from the mainstream of European trends. Due to the long-lasting isolation, the Northmen relied on their own symbolic layer and aesthetic sense. They got the inspiration from dramatic and breathtaking natural surroundings. Scandinavian Folk Art and the Vikings Kittelsen’s art also liked to focus on the outdoors and landscapes; however, he “ fortrollet naturen” (made the natural unnatural) by incorporating fantastical elements into them, such as the Nøkk at Tårntjernet lake. Christian Krohg (1852-1925) and Oda Krohg (1860-1935) Skrimshander (Danish): Skrimshander refers to the decorative carving of bone or ivory objects. While it is commonly associated with maritime themes, it can also include other motifs found in Scandinavian folk art.

Listen to it for yourself and experience the beauty and depth of Icelandic folk art through the music. Greenlandic folk art Shop Scandinavian Rugs | Shop All Rugs From Scandinavia | Shop Folk Art Rugs | Shop Swedish Design Rugs | Shop All Vintage Rugs Naturalism was a significant influence on Christian Krohg’s art, and the majority of his paintings are detailed depictions of people performing everyday tasks. Oda Krohg studied art under both Erik Werenskiold and Christian Krohg before marrying the latter. These forms of traditional Scandinavian folk art showcase the creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural expressions of the region’s rich artistic heritage. Common elements of Scandinavian / Swedish folk art What is different about these styles is that the designs are more refined and sleeker in appearance. We also see a finer delineation of curves and the characteristic spiral that accentuates and defines the hip areas of the four-legged animal appear smaller.Folk art is also usually characterized by its style being very specific to its culture of origin. In the case of Sweden, the approach to folk art was particularly unique because of its relative isolation from outside influences given how far north it was from Europe. Curator of Nordic Museum Brings Swedish Folk Art to Life One of Denmark’s most famous designers, Verner Panton, is known for his bold and abstract work in the ’60s, with a focus on new materials. Panton’s creations stood apart from those of his contemporaries, and his focus was more on what we today associate with Pop Art. Strong, dramatic colors and futuristic shapes dominated his work. His designs, along with those of Finnish designer Eero Aarnio and Finnish-American Eero Saarinen, have been used in a number of film productions and countless photo shoots to create a futuristic look. Left: Globe Chair, Eero Aarnio, 1963–65. What is unique about the Buddha-like figures is their close resemblance to Asian culture, and it is debated whether this was influenced by it, particularly the Buddhist culture. One of the most recognisable types of Norwegian folk art is “rosemaling” (or “rose painting”), named after the floral designs that characterise the artwork. While rosemaling can be found all over Norway, it has its strongest roots in rural Eastern Norway, particularly in Hallingdal and Telemark. “Uvdal stave church, rose paint” by Frode Inge Helland, 2005 ( CC) Textile Arts: Fiber / textile arts have a long tradition in Scandinavian folk art. Embroidery textiles, weaving, and tapestry work are common techniques used to create intricate designs and patterns on clothing, area rugs, wall hangings and other textiles.

Undoubtedly, the most famous Norwegian artist is Edvard Munch. Despite his success as an artist both in Norway and abroad, his life was characterised by unhappiness as he struggled with both his mental and physical health. The Scream. Photo: Munch Museum Scandinavian designers were influenced by everything going on around them. With their tradition of craftsmanship and efficient use of limited material resources (due to their relative geographic isolation), they combined the best of both worlds. In line with prevailing democratic social views, everything was made to be available to everyone. The notion of enjoying the work you do was highly regarded, and the idea that beautiful things could enrich people’s lives was kept alive. The term “Scandinavian design” originates from a design show that traveled the US and Canada under that name from 1954 to 1957. Promoting the “Scandinavian way of living,” it exhibited various works by Nordic designers and established the meaning of the term that continues to today: beautiful, simple, clean designs, inspired by nature and the northern climate, accessible and available to all, with an emphasis on enjoying the domestic environment. Romanticism was a European cultural movement that lasted from the end of the 18th century to the mid 19th century, and impacted areas such as art, music and literature. It was driven by patriotism in the form of an idealised nostalgia for a “simpler time” and a focus on landscapes and nature – which can be particularly seen in art from the time. Johan Christian Dahl (1788-1857)

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Prows of Viking ships and medieval boats moored to the pier in the harbor of the small city of Tønsberg, Norway. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: “Saga Oseberg” , a full-scale replica of the “Oseberg Ship” , a Viking ship from about AD 820 discovered in a burial mound near Tønsberg, with the prow ending in a spiral-shaped serpent’s head; “Saga Farmann” , a reconstruction of the “ Klåstadskipet ” ship from about AD 820; and “Sæheimr”, inspired by the “Fjørtoftbåten” boat from about AD 860, decorated with a dragon’s head on the fore stem; Wolfmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Are you inspired by Norwegian landscape and history, like so many artists before you? There are plenty of places where you can study art in Norway! Even today, traditional Greenlandic clothing still plays an important part in the culture of Greenland, and it is often worn at various cultural events, such as festivals and celebrations. How to draw Scandinavian folk art The four art museum buildings are numbered KODE 1-4 and each have a different focus, from the Golden Age of Norwegian art to the largest collection of Chinese china figurines in Norway.

A picture of the Oseberg longship; National Library of Norway, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Some of the best museums in Scandinavia to see traditional folk pieces include: The Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo / mksfca (CC) While there are a number of sculpture parks in Oslo, the most iconic is “ Vigelandsparken” (Vigeland park). The Angry Boy of Oslo's Vigeland Park Scandinavian design has evolved with the times, moving from mostly furniture and product design to an application of principles and processes to current problems and opportunities. Its change has been just as dramatic as the society it’s a part of. The styles and movements brewing in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century spread around the world. While they didn’t espouse the same message, they all contributed to the establishment of new forms and functions.The Borre Viking style was named after the discovery of bronze bridle mounts from a ship’s grave in the Borre Mound Cemetery located in Borre in Vestfold County, Norway. This style is a continuation of the previous style with similarities in the Viking design, however, there are also notable differences compared to the previous style. The Ringerike style is named after the Ringerike district in Norway. This is also the location where more runestones were erected due to their increase in popularity. Animals and foliate designs appeared thinner without the dots or decorative “beads” in-between, referred to as “double contour lines”. The animals continue to appear beast-like, and struggling with the serpentine creatures encircling their bodies, like the above-mentioned beasts we encountered in the previous styles. There are additional animals included in the stone-carved compositions. Before we discuss Viking Art, it is useful to understand who these “Northmen” were. The term “Northmen” was used to designate the Norsemen, otherwise, the Norse people, who inhabited medieval Scandinavia, a collective of the Northern European countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.