JÓHANNES S. KJARVAL
IN THE OPEN AIR
27.11.2025 – 17.05.2026
Gallery 08
Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885-1972) holds a distinct place within Icelandic cultural and art history as a beloved artist. He was born in West Skaftafell-county but grew up from the age of four in Borgarfjörður eystri. At the beginning of the century, he travelled and studied far and wide, within Iceland and abroad, working various jobs alongside creating his art. He first studied with Ásgrímur Jónsson in Reykjavík, then started his studies at The Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen graduating in 1917.
Alone in nature Kjarval was content, camping and painting, in the open air. In a certain dell near Ketilstaðir farm in Hjaltastaðaþinghá is his summer cottage, where he, among other things painted some of his most memorable landscapes and his drawings of the common people of Borgarfjörður eystri are among his best-known work.
This exhibition consists of several unexhibited works the majority is from East Iceland Heritage Museum‘s collection which also takes care of his summer cottage.
Curator: Sigríður Örvarsdóttir. Advisors: Edda Halldórsdóttir art historian and Kristín Gísladóttir conservator.
The exhibition is a collaboration between Akureyri Art Museum and East Iceland Heritage Museum.
