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National Gallery
The Norwegian Parliament passed
a resolution to create a national art museum in Oslo, Norway,
wanting to showcase the country's art and see the comparison between
it and the artworks of the older, European tradition. That museum
was the start of the National Gallery, that as time passed began to
acquire a marvelous collection by purchase and donation; and as it
grew, continued to acquire the nation's biggest collection of
Norwegian and international art. Currently, as it merges with the
National Museum, this magnificent collection contains 25,000 prints,
900 sculptures, 4500 paintings and 950 plaster casts. For a long
time, the National Gallery had no permanent home, and was called the
State Art Museum, but did manage to get one in 1880, as it moved
into the middle part of the current building; that was enlarged with
a southern wing in the years from 1904 to 1907, and then a northern
wing during 1918 to 1924; needing to make space for the growing
collections, a library and lecture hall. All through its wonderful
history, the National Gallery has become an important aspect of
building a nation and the Norwegian art history. Originally, the
gallery had been constructed to house the excellent works of the
nation, but over the years, thanks to many generous benefactors, it
has been able to also acquire an international collection that is
very impressive; especially those works by French impressionists.
The biggest attraction has become the Scream and Madonna and other
works by the famous artist, Edvard Munch. Presently, the museum has
a fantastic permanent collection and many awesome changing displays,
that include, contemporary art and historical art. The research room
has many great works that aren't displayed in the general exhibits,
with the staff helping in any way possible. Their gift shop has many
excellent books and gifts that pertain to art and the galleries'
displays as well. The cafe, called the Salon de The is a great place
to enjoy tasty Norwegian cuisine and a good place to read or enjoy
artworks with coffee or tea. Exhibitions coming to the gallery
include; Goddesses, Works from the Collection: 1814-1950, Marte Aas:
Film and Photography, The Fashion Galleries, Highlights: The
Sejersted Bodtker Collection, The Palace and Linstow, and Take a
Seat! Norwegian Furniture Design. In the permanent displays, there
are two main collections with sub-categories in those; the first,
Style 1100-1905 depicts how various art styles have influenced the
items that society has surrounded itself with, from the Middle Ages
to the art noveau in Norway specifically and other countries as
well. Included in this marvelous exhibition are four treasured areas
of importance; Norwegian silver, glass, tapestries and faience, with
East Asian decorative artworks. The other display includes Design
and Craft 1905-2005 which concentrates on modernism and its
development. The gallery contains four major areas of artworks that
are showcased throughout the museum; the art collections that
contain paintings, photography, videos and installation,
printmaking, and sculpture from the Middle Ages to the present;
continuing to focus mainly on Norwegian art; collections of
decorative arts and designs that contain, silver, ceramics,
textiles, glass and furniture from the Middle Ages to the present;
architectural collections that contain models, drawings and
photography from the 20th century that focuses on the Norwegian
architecture; and the research collections.
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Ibsen Museum
The Ibsen Museum is showcased in
the playwright's last home and sits by the Royal Palace in Oslo,
Norway. On the 100th anniversary of Ibsen's death, in 1906, the
museum reopened the writer's house, complete with the original
furnishings, interior and decor to the enjoyment of the citizens of
the city and nation. Henrik Ibsen's plays have been performed on
stages around the world; however, the best place to really learn
about the writer that lived behind the public facade is at Arbins
gate. Here, Henrik, lived the last 11 years of his life and wrote
his last best dramatic works, John Gabriel Borkman in 1896 and When
We Dead Awaken in 1899. A lot of work was done to recreate the
writer's home, but thanks to financial help, as well as goodwill by
donors and lenders, the expertise of museum staff and skilled
craftsmen, a very authentic replication of Henrik's home has been
completed. The floors, walls and surfaces have been rebuilt
according to archaeological structure studies and other historical
resources, with the original furniture installed and the appearance
of time has caused such extensive damage on the curtains,
tablecloths and drapes that these have been rewoven according to
specs from that period. Suzannah Ibsen passed on 1914, and the house
was later destroyed with the furnishings scattered; while the city
was able to acquire his study and bedroom and stored it all in the
Norwegian Folk Museum. The library was shipped to the county museum
in Skien and is now the Telemark Museum; with dining room going to
the Ibsen House Museum that is now called the City of Grimstad's
museums. The rest of the furniture that was left was taken by the
family's heirs. Actor Knut Wigert decided to rent the apartment in
1990, in hopes of making it available to the public with more
renovations completed.
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