National Gallery (Norway)

History

It was established in 1842 following a parliamentary decision from 1836. Originally located in the Royal Palace, Oslo, it got its own museum building in 1882, designed by Heinrich Ernst and Adolf Schirmer. Former names of the museum include Den norske stats sentralmuseum for billedkunst and from 1903 to 1920 Statens Kunstmuseum. Directors include Jens Thiis (1908–1941), Sigurd Willoch (1946–1973), Knut Berg (1975–1995), Tone Skedsmo (1995–2000), and Anniken Thue (2001–2003).

That the gallery had erroneously been labeled as technically unfit for paintings was reported in 2013. (A previous study—about the museums—tåleevne) had never concluded about the fitness level, and Norway's parliament had been misinformed about conclusions that in reality did not exist. )

In 2016, the price for admission doubled overnight.

The museum collection was moved to a new building, opened in 11 June 2022, gathering all sections of the National Gallery, except architecture. It is located on the harbor front, as part of the Fjordbyen development, and the new building was designed by architects Kleihues + Schuwerk (de), following their win in an architecture competition held in November 2010.

Collection

The Gallery includes pieces by sculptor Julius Middelthun, painters Johan Christian Claussen Dahl, Erik Werenskiold and Christian Krohg as well as works by Edvard Munch including The Scream and one version of his Madonna.

The museum also has many old master European paintings by painters such as El Greco, Lucas Cranach the Elder (Golden Age), Gaulli (Sacrifice of Noah), Orazio Gentileschi, Artemisia Gentileschi, Andrea Locatelli (Bachannal Scene), Pieter Elinga (Letter Carrier), Ferdinand Bol, Daniel De Blieck (Church Interior), Jacob van der Ulft (Seaport), Cornelis Bisschop (Seamstress) and Jan van Goyen. There are also 19th and 20th Century International paintings by Armand Guillaumin, Carl Sohn, Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet (Rainy Day, Etretat), Paul Cézanne, and Pablo Picasso. There are also Norwegian paintings by Adolph Tidemand, Hans Gude, Harriet Backer, and Lars Jorde.

References

References

1. "Norway's largest collection of art, architecture and design".
2. (2007). "Nasjonalgalleriet". Kunnskapsforlaget.
3. Frivik, Karen Riekeles. (2013-04-30). "Teknisk uegnet for malerier". [[Aftenposten]].
4. "Dobler billettprisene".
5. Moore, Rowan. (9 June 2022). "Inside Norway’s new National Museum, a design as democratic as it is monumental".
6. Laurin, Hannover, Thiis, ''Scandinavian Art'', Benjamin Blom, New York, 1968 p. 622