Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
period and the beginning of Realism. With the advent of photography, paint-
ers went beyond simple realism and into extreme realism.
Tidemand
—
Low Church Devotion
(1848):
This scene shows a dis-
senting Lutheran church group(ofwhich there were many inthe 19thcentury)
worshipping in a smokehouse. The light of God powers through the chimney,
illuminating salt-of-the-earth people with strong faiths. Rather than accept the
Norwegian king's “High Church,” they worshipped in their homes in a more
ascetic style. Later, many of these people emigrated to America for greater re-
ligious freedom.
• On the facing wall is...
Eilif Peterssen
—
Christian II
(1875):
The Danish king signs the ex-
ecution order for the man who'd killed the king's beloved mistress. With
camera-like precision,thepaintercapturesthewholestoryofmurder,anguish,
anger, and bitter revenge in the king's set jaw and steely eyes.
• Go through Rooms O and P and into Room Q. Take time to browse the
paintings.
Vulnerability
Death, disease, and suffering were themes seen again and again in art from
the late 1800s. The most serious disease during this period was tuberculosis
(which killed Munch's mother and sister).
