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30.04.2017
17.09.2017

Louisa Matthíasdóttir: Calm

The exhibition spans the whole career of Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917-2000), paintings oftend described by their clear light and brilliant color. She was true to painting Icelandic landscapes, although she spent most of her life away from Iceland, she painted scenes from Reykjavík, still lifes frome her own kitchen, and also many portraits of her family and herself.

Louisa was born in Iceland in 1917. She moved to the United States in 1943 and lived there until she died in the year 2000. Louisa was active on the Icelandic art scene and exhibited in Iceland although she spent most of her life away from her homeland. When Louisa was 17 years old she moved to Copenhagen, Denmark and studied at School for Arts and Crafts. Three years later she went to Paris, France and stayed there for a year in the company of Marcel Gromaire at the Maison Watteu. From 1939 she spent her time in Iceland among artists and writers until she went to New York where she studied with the teacher Hans Hoffmann in Greewich Village. There she met her husband, the painter Leland Bell. They found their place in the Jane Street Gallery cooperative, along with other artists that had studied with Hoffmann. Louisa Matthíasdóttir opened her first exhibition in the Jane Street Gallery in 1948, then 31 years old. 

Curator/s: 
Jón Proppé
Invitation card: 
Exhibition opening images: 

Click on the pictures to view some more on Instagram and post your own by using the #hashtag of the exhibition.
Remember to follow Reykjavík Art Museum on @reykjavikartmuseum.

Events related to exhibition

Louisa Matthíasdóttir, 1989, Lake Thingvellir, oil on canvas, 67x90 cm.
Kjarvalsstaðir
30. April 2017 - 16:00
Louisa Matthíasdóttir, oil on canvas, 1990.
Kjarvalsstaðir
5. May 2017 - 14:00 to 1. September 2017 - 14:00
Louisa Matthíasdóttir, 1989, Lake Thingvellir, oil on canvas, 67x90 cm.
Kjarvalsstaðir
14. May 2017 - 14:00
Louisa Matthíasdóttir: Calm at Kjarvalsstaðir.
Kjarvalsstaðir
18. May 2017 - 12:30
Louisa Matthíasdóttir: Calm at Kjarvalsstaðir.
Kjarvalsstaðir
18. May 2017 - 14:00
Louisa Matthíasdóttir: Calm at Kjarvalsstaðir.
Kjarvalsstaðir
18. May 2017 - 15:00