Discover the bold beauty of Nordic art from 1880 to 1925-from luminous coastal scenes to vivid abstraction. This 5-week course explores key artists like Gallen-Kallela, Munch, Hjertén, Schjerfbeck, GAN, and Iceland’s Þorláksson, tracing a journey through modernism, from Impressionism and Symbolism to regional variations on Cubism and Fauvism.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This five-week course traces the rich and varied development of Nordic art from the 1880s to the early 1920s-a period of profound transformation shaped by national identity, modern life, and changing ideas of nature and self.
We begin with the Skagen painters in Denmark, whose plein air depictions of coastal life reflected both Impressionist influence and a uniquely Nordic light. In Finland and Norway, artists like Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Edvard Munch drew on myth, folklore, and psychology to forge bold symbolic visions, marrying personal and national narratives.
As we move into the 20th century, we explore how artists like Sigrid Hjertén, Gösta Adrian-Nilsson (GAN), and Helene Schjerfbeck absorbed and transformed modernist ideas-Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism-into radically personal forms. Their works are vivid, emotionally charged, and deeply rooted in the northern experience.
We also extend our view to Iceland, where Þórarinn B. Þorláksson-widely regarded as the country’s first professional painter-began to capture the island’s stark, elemental landscapes in a spirit of national pride and romantic symbolism.
Through paintings, prints, and visual culture, this course offers an accessible, engaging introduction to a time when the North found its own distinctive and modern artistic voice.
What will we cover?
• The history of art in the Nordic region during the period 1880 to 1925
• Key Nordic artists and works of art
• Well-known art movements (such as Symbolism and Fauvism) through the works of lesser-known artists, in a different context
• How ideas such as a connection to nature and national belonging came to be expressed in art
• How Nordic artists used art as a way to express emotion
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Identify and contextualise at least five key Nordic artists from 1880-1925
· Identify at least 5 key works of art
· Explain how landscape, national identity, and emotion shaped Nordic responses to modern art
· Discuss the dialogue between Nordic countries, and between the Nordic region and the rest of Europe: is there a Nordic specificity?
· Reflect on the concept of centre and periphery in the context of the writing and teaching of art history
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and hand-outs.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HilmaafKlint to Malevich: pioneering abstract art in Europe, 1907 to 1915
Caroline Levisse is an art historian. She trained in Paris and Copenhagen and completed a PhD in art history in 2013. She is now based in London where she has been teaching art history for ten years for a range of lifeling learning providers. Her field of expertise is 19th and 20th century Western Art, with focus on the Nordic region.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/nordic-modernism-1880-19252654850Nordic modernism: 1880-1925https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/n/o/nordic-modernism-1880-1925-1080.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art22851136117718951228511771136<p>Discover the bold beauty of Nordic art from 1880 to 1925-from luminous coastal scenes to vivid abstraction. This 5-week course explores key artists like Gallen-Kallela, Munch, Hjertén, Schjerfbeck, GAN, and Iceland’s Þorláksson, tracing a journey through modernism, from Impressionism and Symbolism to regional variations on Cubism and Fauvism.</p>003036490Nordic modernism: 1880-1925159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/n/o/nordic-modernism-1880-1925-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB208159159Nordic modernism: 1880-1925127103159Caroline Levissenordic-modernism-1880-1925/vb208-2627<p>Discover the bold beauty of Nordic art from 1880 to 1925-from luminous coastal scenes to vivid abstraction. This 5-week course explores key artists like Gallen-Kallela, Munch, Hjertén, Schjerfbeck, GAN, and Iceland’s Þorláksson, tracing a journey through modernism, from Impressionism and Symbolism to regional variations on Cubism and Fauvism.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-05 00:00:00<p>This five-week course traces the rich and varied development of Nordic art from the 1880s to the early 1920s-a period of profound transformation shaped by national identity, modern life, and changing ideas of nature and self.</p><p>We begin with the Skagen painters in Denmark, whose plein air depictions of coastal life reflected both Impressionist influence and a uniquely Nordic light. In Finland and Norway, artists like Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Edvard Munch drew on myth, folklore, and psychology to forge bold symbolic visions, marrying personal and national narratives.</p><p>As we move into the 20th century, we explore how artists like Sigrid Hjertén, Gösta Adrian-Nilsson (GAN), and Helene Schjerfbeck absorbed and transformed modernist ideas-Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism-into radically personal forms. Their works are vivid, emotionally charged, and deeply rooted in the northern experience.</p><p>We also extend our view to Iceland, where Þórarinn B. Þorláksson-widely regarded as the country’s first professional painter-began to capture the island’s stark, elemental landscapes in a spirit of national pride and romantic symbolism.</p><p>Through paintings, prints, and visual culture, this course offers an accessible, engaging introduction to a time when the North found its own distinctive and modern artistic voice.</p><p>Discover the bold beauty of Nordic art from 1880 to 1925-from luminous coastal scenes to vivid abstraction. This 5-week course explores key artists like Gallen-Kallela, Munch, Hjertén, Schjerfbeck, GAN, and Iceland’s Þorláksson, tracing a journey through modernism, from Impressionism and Symbolism to regional variations on Cubism and Fauvism.</p><p>• The history of art in the Nordic region during the period 1880 to 1925</p><p>• Key Nordic artists and works of art</p><p>• Well-known art movements (such as Symbolism and Fauvism) through the works of lesser-known artists, in a different context</p><p>• How ideas such as a connection to nature and national belonging came to be expressed in art</p><p>• How Nordic artists used art as a way to express emotion</p><p>· Identify and contextualise at least five key Nordic artists from 1880-1925</p><p>· Identify at least 5 key works of art</p><p>· Explain how landscape, national identity, and emotion shaped Nordic responses to modern art</p><p>· Discuss the dialogue between Nordic countries, and between the Nordic region and the rest of Europe: is there a Nordic specificity?</p><p>· Reflect on the concept of centre and periphery in the context of the writing and teaching of art history</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and hand-outs.</p><p>You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>HilmaafKlint to Malevich: pioneering abstract art in Europe, 1907 to 1915</p><p>A history of modern art in 50 objects</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual127159103VB208NONEThu05/11/26 - 03/12/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetCaroline LevisseBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities159159Nordic modernism: 1880-1925nordic-modernism-1880-1925/vb208-2627<p>Discover the bold beauty of Nordic art from 1880 to 1925-from luminous coastal scenes to vivid abstraction. This 5-week course explores key artists like Gallen-Kallela, Munch, Hjertén, Schjerfbeck, GAN, and Iceland’s Þorláksson, tracing a journey through modernism, from Impressionism and Symbolism to regional variations on Cubism and Fauvism.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-05 00:00:00<p>This five-week course traces the rich and varied development of Nordic art from the 1880s to the early 1920s-a period of profound transformation shaped by national identity, modern life, and changing ideas of nature and self.</p><p>We begin with the Skagen painters in Denmark, whose plein air depictions of coastal life reflected both Impressionist influence and a uniquely Nordic light. In Finland and Norway, artists like Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Edvard Munch drew on myth, folklore, and psychology to forge bold symbolic visions, marrying personal and national narratives.</p><p>As we move into the 20th century, we explore how artists like Sigrid Hjertén, Gösta Adrian-Nilsson (GAN), and Helene Schjerfbeck absorbed and transformed modernist ideas-Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism-into radically personal forms. Their works are vivid, emotionally charged, and deeply rooted in the northern experience.</p><p>We also extend our view to Iceland, where Þórarinn B. Þorláksson-widely regarded as the country’s first professional painter-began to capture the island’s stark, elemental landscapes in a spirit of national pride and romantic symbolism.</p><p>Through paintings, prints, and visual culture, this course offers an accessible, engaging introduction to a time when the North found its own distinctive and modern artistic voice.</p><p>Discover the bold beauty of Nordic art from 1880 to 1925-from luminous coastal scenes to vivid abstraction. This 5-week course explores key artists like Gallen-Kallela, Munch, Hjertén, Schjerfbeck, GAN, and Iceland’s Þorláksson, tracing a journey through modernism, from Impressionism and Symbolism to regional variations on Cubism and Fauvism.</p><p>• The history of art in the Nordic region during the period 1880 to 1925</p><p>• Key Nordic artists and works of art</p><p>• Well-known art movements (such as Symbolism and Fauvism) through the works of lesser-known artists, in a different context</p><p>• How ideas such as a connection to nature and national belonging came to be expressed in art</p><p>• How Nordic artists used art as a way to express emotion</p><p>· Identify and contextualise at least five key Nordic artists from 1880-1925</p><p>· Identify at least 5 key works of art</p><p>· Explain how landscape, national identity, and emotion shaped Nordic responses to modern art</p><p>· Discuss the dialogue between Nordic countries, and between the Nordic region and the rest of Europe: is there a Nordic specificity?</p><p>· Reflect on the concept of centre and periphery in the context of the writing and teaching of art history</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and hand-outs.</p><p>You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>HilmaafKlint to Malevich: pioneering abstract art in Europe, 1907 to 1915</p><p>A history of modern art in 50 objects</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
