Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This easy-to-handle museum gives an effortless tour back in time and through
Norway's most beautiful valleys, mountains, and fjords, with the help of its
Romanticpainters(especiallyJohanChristianDahl).Thepaintingsareorgan-
ized roughly chronologically, from 1814 through 1950.
• Go up the stairs but before entering the first room, look to the right at the
large canvas in the stairwell.
Christian Krohg
—
Albertine to See the Police Surgeon
(c.
1885-1887): Christian Krohg (1852-1925) is known as Edvard Munch's in-
spiration, but to Norwegians, he's famous in his own right for his artistry and
giant personality. Krohg had a sharp interest in social justice. In this painting,
Albertine, a sweet girl from the countryside, has fallen into the world of pros-
titution in the big city. She's the new kid on the red-light block in the 1880s,
as Oslo's prostitutes are pulled into the police clinic for their regular checkup.
Note her traditional dress and the disdain she gets from the more experienced
girls. Krohg has buried his subject in this scene. His technique requires the
viewer to find her, and that search helps humanize the prostitute.
• We'll look at more stark Norwegian realism later. But for now, let's head
somewhere more idyllic. Walk into Room Z, turn left, and enter Room L.
