Page 43 - Studio International - March 1965

Oslo as an art centre

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Oslo reputations. Johannes Rian, however. who was Norwegian citizen. Originally simply a printmaker.
born as long ago as 1891, has more recently established Nesch varied the effects of his etchings by soldering
himself as a leading Norwegian artist. Rian came late to pieces of metal and wire onto the plates. Gradually these
professional painting, the influence of Matisse becom­ became independent pictures. where. no longer bound
ing important to him in the later 1930's and continuing by considerations of printing technique, he was able to
so for nearly twenty years. It is only comparatively add other materials which stirred his imagination. His
lately that he has begun to paint non-figurative pictures. work is full of fantasy, inventive imagination and great
As his work has become more abstract, the areas of charm; it can also have a wilder. expressionistic side,
colour have become more dreamily enigmatic and have but more frequently gaiety seems to win. Comparatively
acquired an ability to suggest space, whereas, when well known outside Norway, Nesch has won prizes at
figurative elements were still contained, they were kept the Venice and Sao Paolo Biennials. and in Germany.
to a flat decorative surface. Rian's shapes have a Sigurd Winge (b.1909), one of the most accomplished
relaxed sureness and his colours a corresponding of Norwegian artists, has also had some success
lyricism, bright, yet never harsh. abroad. His prints are notable for a highly polished
Since Munch's time. graphic art has always been Mannerism with an expressionistic flavour. His art is
strong in Norway. Rolf Nesch, the senior figure in this romantic (but not nationally-romantic). dealing with
field, was born in Germany in 1893, but settled in symbolic themes and owing something to Picasso and
Norway during the early 1930's. later becoming a to Surrealism. He is sometimes at his best, however.
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