Shop Scandinavian Rugs | Shop All Rugs From Scandinavia | Shop Folk Art Rugs | Shop Swedish Design Rugs | Shop All Vintage Rugs Exhibitions like these played a big role in spreading the word about Scandinavian design and in influencing the development of modernism in North America and Europe in many ways. The aesthetic had been evolving for decades by that time and was strongly influenced by art and design in Europe. It combined the trends that had emerged around the turn of the century, the clean forms that followed, as well as existing traditions in Scandinavia. Social Consciousness In Art Movements In the digital world, where the interface for so many designs is keyboard, mouse and screen, the creator is sometimes forgotten. The human element is demoted in favor of expediency and functionality. The term “Scandinavian design” originates from a design show that traveled the US and Canada under that name from 1954 to 1957. Promoting the “Scandinavian way of living,” it exhibited various works by Nordic designers and established the meaning of the term that continues to today: beautiful, simple, clean designs, inspired by nature and the northern climate, accessible and available to all, with an emphasis on enjoying the domestic environment.

The Pitney Brooch, a dished gilt copper-alloy disc brooch in Urnes style; Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Scholarly sources indicate it derives from Celtic and Early Christian influences. The figures may, in fact, be representations of the god Cernunnos from Celtic mythology who is often depicted as sitting in a lotus-like posture. The decorated torso also derives from similar Celtic designs. This brooch depicts similar motifs characteristic to the Norse artwork. It portrays the serpentine figure, or snake, intertwined with a slimmer appearing ribbon-like animal. The snake is biting its own body. We can distinguish the snake by the metal beads running along the dorsal (upper) side of its body. It is important to remember that these styles were created retroactively by historians to group art styles by certain characteristics. The boundaries between them are not always clear cut. Norwegian folk art The Constructivist movement viewed art as part of the social structure and used it as tool to communicate political and social messages. Some of the movement’s most famous artists were Vladimir Tatlin, Alexander Rodchenko, El Lissitzky, Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky (who later taught at Bauhaus) and the Stenberg brothers, Georgii and Vladimir, names still well known among graphic designers today. Participating heavily in public events and partially supported by the ruling political parties, they celebrated new technologies and machine art. Left: Composition With Red, Yellow and Blue, Piet Mondrian, 1937–4.There are six primary Viking styles, each one named after a specific area where a notable item was found. The six styles are, namely, Oseberg Style (c. 775 – 875 CE), Borre (c. 850 – 975 CE), Jellinge (c. 900 – 975 CE), Mammen (c. 960 – 1000/1025 CE), Ringerike (c. 990 – 1050 CE), and Urnes (c. 1050 – 1125 CE).

Other objects from this style include the Gold Spur with the “ring-chain” pattern on it – a pattern characteristic of this style. The “ring-chain” pattern is also called “ring-braid” and appears as various intertwining and interlacing circles. Another important characteristic of Viking Art includes the utilization of symbolism. Objects appear decorated with elaborate abstracted designs of animals, birds, humanoid figures, and patterns. A common pattern seen in Viking design is the intertwining of shapes or spiral-like motifs, this is also referred to as Norse knotwork. The Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design (KMD) in Bergen offers both bachelor- and master-level degrees in art, music and design. Their fine arts programme allows students to specialise in areas as photography, painting, textiles, etc. Art museums are not the only place you can find art in Norway! The country is also home to a variety of open-air sculpture parks for you to wander around at your leisure.The Nordic Museum (Nordiska Museet) is dedicated to Swedish folk art from about 1520 until the contemporary period. The museum was founded in the late 19th century by Artur Hazelius, who also founded the open-air museum Skansen, a long part of the museum until the institutions were made independent of each other in 1963. Today, the Nordic Museum has more than 1.5 million artefacts and is considered the largest museum of cultural history in Sweden. Naturalism was a significant influence on Christian Krohg’s art, and the majority of his paintings are detailed depictions of people performing everyday tasks. Oda Krohg studied art under both Erik Werenskiold and Christian Krohg before marrying the latter. In the late Middle Ages the Viking power was gradually extinguishing. Thus, Scandinavia no longer was the land of warriors. Instead, it became the land of farmers. More peaceful, nature-related motifs overtook the folk art. Works of artisans were full of flower, bird and human motifs. These often referred to Scandinavian tales, legends and fables. Such patterns also appear on Swedish flat-weave rugs or shaggy Ryas. Their simplicity doesn’t make them less heartwarming. On the contrary – it gives them timeless beauty. This instantly recognizable folk art is so elegant and alluring that its popularity is raising rather than fading. Vintage Scandinavian rugs are the apple of the eye of design aficionados and beauty-seekers around the world. These works of art perfectly match contemporary interiors. In the eighteenth century, artists tended to be trained professionals from the cities. They would travel around Norway, providing their services where needed.

The Borre style became prominent in other areas not only restricted to Scandinavia, for example, the British Isles and Baltic areas like Russia. Rosemaling (Norwegian): Rosemaling is a decorative painting style that originated in Norway. It features intricate floral designs and scrollwork painted in vibrant colors. Traditional Sámi art combines functional objects, such as knives, cups, shoes and bags, with beautiful designs. In North Sámi, this type of handcraft is known as “ duodji”. Duodji drinking cup and knife. Photo: Christopher Forster ( CC) The Viking Age certainly left its mark on the Modern Age, the idealistic portrayal of a seemingly barbaric race of men and women has become a pop-cultural trend. From film, live re-enactments, and replicas of various aspects of the Viking culture like weapons, artifacts, and coins. Furthermore, Viking concept art has become a trend among many fans, we see many Viking designs on jewelry including the online space in computer games and graphic design.Drawing Scandinavian folk may look easy, as the designs are rather simple and contain a lot of straightforward shapes. One of the most popular forms of folk art in Norway is called Rosemåling, or rose painting. Frode Inge Helland (CC) If you want to see original rosemaling for yourself in Norway, you should pay a visit to the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, which holds many buildings and objects decorated in this way. “Ølbolle” By Norsk Folkemuseum, 2014 Sámi art in Norway Jellinge is the small city where Harold Bluetooth had the giant Jellinge stones erected to honor his parents and to tell that he turned the Danes to Christianity; National Museum of Denmark from Denmark, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons