– That someone on our behalf should carry out that censorship, I think is a dangerous development, says art historian and author Tommy Sørbø. Christian Krohg’s painting “Leiv Eiriksson discovers America” from 1893 shows the Norse explorer who is considered to have been the first European to discover North America around the year 1000. The painting formerly adorned the stairwell in the old National Museum. Now it is placed in a magazine in the basement of the museum. The museum justifies it as follows. – The picture is a romanticization of Norwegians who went to America. It is a colonialist image, says department director Stina Högkvist at the National Museum to Aftenposten. This causes many to react. – Sluggish and not well thought out Now she apologizes. – Here I just want to lie completely flat. This was a sloppy and poorly thought-out remark, said in passing. I do not think that Christian Krohg’s painting “Leiv Eiriksson discovers America” is colonialist, says Högkvist in a written comment sent to NTB. The statement has also caused some strong reactions in social media. – I am sorry that I have initiated a discussion about cancellation. Krohg’s work has not been canceled by the National Museum, says Högkvist on Sunday. Few paintings could be hung up Art historian Tommy Sørbø does not react to the National Museum putting pictures in the basement. It’s something that all museums do. But he reacts to the rationale in this case. – It is both ahistorical and frightening. Tommy Sørbø is an art historian and author. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen He calls it censorship. – It is classic censorship and saying that you are not mature enough for this image. If one were to base the National Museum’s justification on art history, the art historian believes that very few paintings could be hung up front. – Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Michelangelo. Down in the basement with it. Censorship, censorship. He points out that works of art carry with them the attitudes and ideologies of their time. – We’re not so stupid that we don’t see through it as an audience, says Sørbø. Modernization The National Museum says they are modernizing their profile. Photo: Annika Byrde / NTBN The National Museum says they are modernizing their profile. Photo: Annika Byrde / NTB Christian Krohg’s famous painting of Leiv Eiriksson discovering America is not the only thing that has ended up in the basement. It has also happened to several other famous paintings. The museum says they are doing this as part of a modernization of the museum’s profile. According to department director Stina Högkvist, the museum wants to challenge a standard that has historically been represented by white, male artists. – We are now showing more female artists, more Sami artists and more art by people who happen to not be born with white skin. We will continue with this, says Högkvist. – We must have a socially relevant, fresh look at art history. Art historian Tommy Sørbø believes that Högkvist is contradicting herself if by fresh she means provocative, alternatively, a little titillating. – Had she dared to let Leif Erikson continue to discover America, she would perhaps have attracted a bit of an audience. He believes there is nothing in the way of problematizing it. Hanging it up with another way of understanding America and who discovers whom. – But it is removing it, and thinking that somehow this is too dangerous. I think that is a deep underestimation of the audience. – Not very wise Former culture commentator at news, Agnes Moxnes was quick to react to the news on Facebook. The Facebook post of Agnes Moxnes has generated a lot of interest. In the comment section, she elaborates: “We are talking about a national museum. With all that entails. then you should highlight the national icons. Feel free to discuss them. But to jump straight to the conclusion “colonialist”, and to use that as the argument for taking it down from the wall, that’s not really wise!” Moxnes believes it is not the National Museum’s task to censor or cancel art. Agnes Moxnes believes it is wrong for the National Museum to put the Krohg painting in the corner of shame. Photo: Nuno Duarte / news – You can discuss art. You can look at it. You can show it off and say, what do you think about it. – But to put in the corner of shame? No. How do you describe what the National Museum is doing now? I think it is an unwise way to manage the National Museum’s collection. Dangerous way to manage cultural heritage Tommy Sørbø agrees with Moxnes. – It is not only unwise, but it is a dangerous way of managing our shared national cultural heritage. Why? – Because. Who knows where the line will be next. – If someone can claim infringement of a painting by Lars Hertervig or by Karl Erik Harr. Yes, you have to take that into account. Who knows what will happen in five or ten years? According to Sørbø, a National Museum should both reflect history and show the best of the art it has to offer. And that quality does not always match democracy and good thoughts. He draws a comparison to the world of literature. – Knut Hamsun wrote wonderful novels, but he had a view on politics and race, not least, which is not acceptable today. But we cannot censor his books for that reason.
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The National Museum has removed Christian Krohg’s painting “Leiv Eiriksson discovers America” - news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
