Review: Gerhard Munthe - Norwegian Pioneer of Modernism

Gerhard Munthe - Norwegian Pioneer of Modernism (book cover)

Jan Kokkin (translated by Arlyne Moi)

Publisher: Arnoldsche Art Publishers (Stuttgart), 2018

Hardback, 296 pages; 48 colour and 200 b&w illustrations; bibliography; index of names.

ISBN: 978-3-89790-517-7

Review by Sally Reckert (2021)

Everyone interested in European Art Nouveau should add Jan Kokkin’s richly illustrated book ‘Gerhard Munthe: Norwegian Pioneer of Modernism’ to their library. Arnoldsche published both the Norwegian and English editions of the book in 2018 to accompany the most comprehensive exhibition of Munthe’s work since 1917 (Nasjonalmuseet, Oslo, Norway).

Gerhard Munthe (1849–1929) significantly contributed to Art Nouveau’s international diversity. His radical, abstract style, partly based on old Norwegian folk art, evolved at a time when artefacts were mostly imported into Norway from Scandinavia and Europe.

Read the review at: Gerhard Munthe - Norwegian Pioneer of Modernism