Rembrandt’s Melancholy and Classical Values
9. September, 2023

Latest news

• Kitsch Meets Art: Nerdrum & Melgaard Exhibition in Oslo

  Two worlds collide when the exhibition Nerdrum & Melgaard opens 6 pm Thursday 7th November at Fineart Oslo. The show will include limited edition prints by two of Norway’s most influential and controversial figures in the kitsch and art world respectively. Odd Nerdrum and Bjarne Melgaard represent diametrically different but powerful visions: the former with his classical figuration, focusing on timeless imagery and vulnerability, and the latter with his contemporary, expressive style, tapping into sexuality, identity and the grimness of life. On display will be recent as well as venerable prints that have stood the test of time, original drawings, sculptures and a unique collaborative self-portrait. This double portrait reveals the opposing forms of expression — giving the public an opportunity to closely compare the two. Odd Nerdrum and Bjarne Melgaard agreed last year to do a collaboration. Here together with the gallery owner Rolf Stavnem. Photo: Naina Helén Jåma / VG The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) will be present and cover the opening, which will include opening remarks from the real-estate investor Christian Ringnes and the editor-in-chief of Subjekt, Danby Choi.

• A Nerdrum Museum in the Making — Invitation to a Press Conference

  Odd Nerdrum, Norway’s most prominent painter from the last century, lacks a permanent exhibition space for his works. His wife, Turid Spildo, and his son, Öde S. Nerdrum, intend to do something about this. Together, they plan to convert an old industrial building on Agnes, north of the city of Stavern, into a gallery with a collection of his finest paintings. An invitation from Sea Park Stavern in 2021 catalysed the idea. “The Sea Park” housing developers were looking for someone who could bring a cultural citadel to the area. For a long time, Turid and Öde have been looking for someone to take the initiative to establish a museum, but they finally decided to take on the job themselves. From Odd Nerdrum’s exhibition “You See We Are Blind” at Fine Art Gallery in Oslo in 2022. Photo: Bork S. Nerdrum – My father’s legacy is unique, not only as a painter but as a teacher as well. I definitely feel a responsibility to preserve and convey what has inspired a generation of painters to return to nature, says Öde. Turid and Öde do not have experience in museum management. However, they believe that the love and respect they have for his paintings is a more decisive factor to their success. – The most important consideration is to be aware of what constitutes a good museum experience. I believe the two of us to be amongst the most seasoned museum-goers.Turid agrees and points to how important the overall atmosphere and environment contributes to the paintings. – A museum must have a café! “Pipehuset” at Agnes outside of Stavern. Photo: Sea Park Stavern Invitation to the press conference Tron Inge Nilsen, who is the managing director of Sea Park Stavern, has been in close dialogue with Turid and Öde in recent months. They recently landed an agreement for the takeover of the old industrial building. Tron is excited that something special is finally happening in the resort town. – We are very proud that Nerdrum has chosen the Sea Park as the location for this museum establishment. This will be an exciting attraction of national importance that will give new life to the remains of the old venerable brick buildings of the Agnes match factory. Key handover with Cecilie Sanden, Turid Spildo og Öde S. Nerdrum. Photo: Sea Park Stavern Turid Spildo and Öde Nerdrum are arranging a press conference that will take place on Thursday 30. March at 1 pm at Pipehuset (Agnes torg 18) to present the project in the premises where it will be built. Everyone is welcome and invited to the press conference.

• Book launch: “Samtaler fra Memorosa” | Korsnes and Nerdrum

  A new book by Carl Korsnes, the editor of Sivilisasjonen magazine, will be launched on Thursday 31st of March at Bakgården på Løkken in Oslo. The title of the Norwegian publication is “Samtaler fra Memorosa” and consists of thirteen philosophical dialogues between Korsnes and Odd Nerdrum. Carl Korsnes and Öde Nerdrum (Odd’s son) will both speek at the event. Reviews The philosopher Einar Duenger Bøhn, who wrote a foreword to Odd Nerdrum’s recent painting book published by Fineart Gallery, says the following about Sivilisasjonen’s first book: Korsnes presents a collection of short and beautiful conversations with Nerdrum, which calls for hope that beauty can actually save the world. Einar Duenger Bøhn The poet and model for Odd Nerdrum’s painting Transfiguration wrote with pathos: The dialogues are a tribute to taking pride in one’s craftsmanship. To the intoxication of beauty. To the nobility of creation. Glittering with blink shot anecdotes. Reading through it arouse both the urge to create and the urge to live. Viva Nerdrum. Viva Korsnes.Bertrand Besigye