Scandinavian Paintings

Scandinavia is an umbrella term referring to the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The three countries are highly prosperous, each with abundant natural resources and a high gross domestic product per person. In the past, the Scandinavian countries were not heavy hitters in establishing the Western art narrative. This began to change when Scandinavian design gained influence in the 1950s.

BoConcept and Ikea are two examples of Scandanavian design companies that made clean, modern, functional design available to many people. In the past 20 years, the Scandinavian countries have grown a lively contemporary art scene with galleries in Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. The government of Norway has been particularly generous in funding artists’ careers.

Generally, Scandinavian artists are not discussed as a group among collectors; rather, each as a distinct artist on the international scene. Many successful artists from the Scandinavian countries are represented by galleries in New York and London, as well as in the respective Scandinavian capital cities.

Quick Facts

• "Belly Door," 2006, by Danish artist due Elmgreen & Dragset sold for £5,000 at Sotheby’s London on July 2, 2015
• "Endless Quasi Column (Happy)," 2005, by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, sold for $118,750 at Christie’s New York on May 12, 2015
• "Last Drawing Before Mars," 2003-04, by Copenhagen-based artist Tal R, sold for £121,250 at Christie’s London on June 30, 2010