Home as History: The Werner Collection of Scandinavian Art

A wide-ranging study of the intertwined 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.

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. ＂Home＂ was a central metaphor in the nation building activities of each country. The links between land, landscape, handicraft and domestic dwellings as dimensions of home are embedded in this survey which brings the extensive collection of David and Susan Werner into public view for the first time.

The catalogue encompasses an impressive range of paintings, drawings, furniture, textiles, glass, metalwork, and ceramics. Highlights include rare tapestries and a wooden cabinet by Norwegian artist Gerhard Munthe, Finnish ceramics by Alfred William Finch, landscape paintings by Hilma af Klint, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Gustav Fjaestad and Pekka Halonen, and functional objects by outstanding handicraft artists covering embroidery, metalwork and wooden implements.

Dawn Brean is chief curator and director of Collections, Frick Pittsburgh. Michelle Facos is professor of Art History, adjunct professor of Jewish Studies and adjunct professor of Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Patricia Gray Berman is Theodora L. and Stanley H. Feldberg Professor of Art, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA. Sabine Wieber is senior lecturer, History of Art, University of Glasgow, UK. Thor J. Mednick is professor of Art History, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH. Tonje Haugland Sørensen is a postdoctoral fellow and researcher, University of Bergen, Norway. Jan Kokkin is an independent historian, Oslo, Norway. Charlotte Ashby is programme director and associate lecturer, Department of History of Art, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. Kjetil Fallan is professor, Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo, Norway.