Contemporary Nordic Portraiture
During the last decades, the art of portraiture has seen a revival. Exhibitions and publications have developed the genre, and approached from different angles. At the same time artists have experimented with the description and portrayal of the individual human being. In 2006 The Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark’s major national portrait gallery, launched a Nordic portrait competition. The competition and the prizes were made possible by generous support from the Carlsberg Memorial Bequest for Brewer J.C. Jacobsen. The exhibition was made very open and all medias welcomed, the only limit was that of time; the portraits had to be created within the last five years.
Totally 541 works were sent to Frederiksborg Castle. More than half of this, 330, came from Danish artists. From Norway came 68 works, 57 from Sweden, 22 from Iceland, 59 from Finland, two from Greenland, one from the Faeroe Islands, and two from South-Schleswig.
Five prizes were divided. In addition the jury has selected 62 works which constitute the travelling exhibition. This was opened in May 2007 at Frederiksborg Castle and was then sent to Iceland, Finland and Sweden and finally to Norway.
The exhibition shows a variety of medias and expressions. The art of portrayal, which traditionally belongs to oil paintings and sculpture has also found its way to video, photography and mixed medias.
Fifteen Norwegian artists participate.
A new Nordic portray competition has already been launched. The deadline for registration is 01.01. 2008.
The exhibition is supported by the Nordic Culture Fund.