The Scandinavian Home : Art and Identity, 1880-1920

The first publication to examine the entangled notions of home and homeland that were central to the art and material culture of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland in the second half of the nineteenth century

“Home” was a central metaphor in the nation-building activities of each country. The arts played a crucial role in reinforcing a shared sense of belonging amongst Nordic countries as they strove to identify and celebrate authentic local and national identities.

The linkages among land, landscape, handicraft, and domestic dwellings as dimensions of home are embedded in this survey of the extensive David and Sue Werner Collection of Scandinavian art, presented to the public for the first time. Encompassing an impressive range of almost 150 painting, drawing, furniture, textiles, glass, metalwork, ceramics, and works on paper, highlights include rare tapestries and a wooden cabinet by the Norwegian artist Gerhard Munthe; Finnish ceramics by Willy Finch; landscape paintings by Hilma af Klint, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Gustav Fjaestad and Pekka Halonen; and anonymous functional objects by outstanding handicraft artists – covering embroideries, metalwork, and wooden implements.