Description
Book SynopsisCharlotte Ashby lectures in the history of art and design at Birkbeck, University of London, the Courtauld Institute of Art and Oxford University, UK.
Trade ReviewA rich and fascinating account of art and design, in a particular place, during the modern period. It is an excellent introduction to the subject and offers many very useful suggestions for further research and reading ... Evocative and compelling. * Decorative Arts Society newsletter *
Charlotte Ashby’s impressively wide-ranging survey of Nordic modernism is a timely and much needed examination of the complex and interrelated strands of Scandinavian innovation in theory and practice. Its inclusive and multi-disciplinary approach, giving recognition to the internal and international impulses the fuelled the phenomenal successes of progressive Nordic culture, offering a fresh and original consideration that will appeal to the specialist and general reader alike.
* David Jackson, Professor of Russian and Scandinavian Art Histories at the University of Leeds, UK *
Modernism in Scandinavia is an impressive introduction to modern Nordic art, design, and architecture. Sidestepping the conventional lexical approach, Charlotte Ashby builds her narrative around a series of case studies ranging from mundane utensils to monumental buildings, from private interiors to public exhibitions. The result is an accessible and engaging account of Nordic modernism, which will be a wonderful resource for international students and scholars. * Kjetil Fallan, Professor of Design History at the University of Oslo, Norway *
Ashby’s case studies offer formal analyses that strike an impressive balance between commenting on the artworks in their own right as aesthetic objects and as objects of sociocultural significance... Ashby comments on paintings, design, and architecture with great scholarly authority, and with an ease that makes the reading experience both engaging and thought-provoking. Her formal analyses are stunningly detailed and well composed. Combined with Ashby’s rigorous historical commentary, these interpretations breathe new life into the objects discussed... Ashby’s book will prove a valuable resource for students and scholars who seek a diverse and thorough introduction to the rich history of modernism in Scandinavia. * Ingrid Nordgaard, Researcher in Slavic Languages and Literatures at Yale University, USA *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 – Up to 1890 – The Foundations of Modernism Chapter 2 – 1890 – 1910 – A New Style for a New Age Chapter 3 – 1910 – 1930 – Classicism and the Universal Vision Chapter 4 – 1930 – 1950 – Modernism: Better Things for Everyday Life Chapter 5 – Post-war Modernism Bibliography Index
