The collection of Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958) in Bergstaðastræti, is a part of Listasafn Íslands. Ásgrímur was not only a pioneer in Icelandic art, he was the country’s first painter who made a living from his art. Ásgrímur went abroad to the then capital of Iceland, Copenhagen, in 1897 and returned home twelve years later, after, among other things, having been at the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen from 1900 to 1903. In addition, he spent a year in Italy and absorbed contemporary European art; in Berlin and Weimar. Icelandic nature and light was Ásgrím’s main subject during his artistic career, which spanned over sixty years. But of course, the emphasis and processing changed with the spirit of the times and his maturity. He painted equally with watercolors and oils. Upon his death, Ásgrímur bequeathed to the Icelandic nation all of his works of art, together with his house at Bergstaðastræti 74, where the artist both slept and worked. The exhibition ‘Window in Reykjavík’ is at the museum now, a strong exhibition that runs until the end of the year.
Reykjavík 23/08/2022 : A7C, RX1R : FE 1.8/14mm GM, 2.0/35mm Z,
Photographs & text: Páll Stefánsson
