If it weren't for Odd Nerdrum I wouldn't have known that traditional art existed when I was getting my BFA in the early 90s.  Classical painting was mocked and dismissed and Odd was one of the few artists daring enough to follow his passion.  We take it for granted today now that we have a real movement established.  While I am not as much of a fan of his current work, the man made me feel like I wasn't alone in my admiration for artists like Caravaggio and Rembrandt.  I will always respect him for that.

Eric Armusik

http://www.ericarmusik.com

Even beyond incredible classical technique, Nerdrum's work is inspiring, disturbing and worth consideration on many levels. To lead with tax fraud issues surrounding is beneath this blog. Consider the work, but please don't stoop to sensationalist journalism, Courtney. I expect better.

I LOOOVE ODD NERDRUM !!!! I love his iconoclastic mind and his courage to stand alone [ all his life really ] in the face of intense criticism from the contemporary art establishment !!  I say BRAVO  to ODD NERDRUM , may he live long and prosper !!!.

I have had a lot of exposure to ODD, via Facebook. He inspires people through his honest visions. He is a Noregian Patriot also. He actually commented to me once, on facebook, encouraging me. So he has got hang in there!

There is something compelling about his images, although I have to confess his work doesn't reach me on a technical level the way the work of others, both living and deceased, does.  It's more the overall impact of his images, but a little does go a long way.  If he rejects the notion of zeitgeist in art, then I think he's very mistaken.  

Thank you for putting his work before us, and in full view. Undraped body and all, I am so happy to know as an artist , that is ok still to show the human form in art.  My second point would be to agree with you that his art leaves room for the viewer, thus in a classic sense he is of the old school which I happen to agree with. I do not feel,  that it is the modern day arts job  to tell the viewer the narrative.  To be the holier that though spokesmen for the masses. To see only what the artist sees,  is to become blind as a society.  We all need to be the observer of life - and thank god we all see it in a different way.  The artist of today, the type of which you describeand the work produced has become a form of totalitarian perception, and with out the 'art critic'  well I guess we all would be lost as to  regocnizing what is 'good' art. Instaed smell a flower,  walk through the garbage of an old street,  see children running with joy . A man lying on the ground, covered in old news, forgotten by the world...and catch your eye and feel your smile as a butterfly lands on a blade of grass growing from the cement cracks... paint, feel  a smile and laugh with the sun. This is art,all the pretty and ugly thrown together- this is what great art can capture.  Allow once again the viewer to finish the painting or what other medium the art he or she choose to see. For the viewer is the ultimate artist. The others,like myself,  just open the door to our imagination for us.shray

olypic artist, 2008 bejing awarded

Countney, thank you for this insight. Odd Nerdrum's work remind me of Anna Mandetta"s work. The message that comes through (for me) is both artists are attempting to communicate with their roots. They are trying to reenter the womb through the earth. I have no real art training, however since my retirement, I attend a senior citizens' art class and have become familiar with the old masters. Thank you. I shall research Old Nerdrum for my own edification.

One final thought:  it has become politically correct within some representational art circles to unquestioningly revere artists such as Nerdrum and Bouguereau more than their work actually deserves.  It's really no different than blindly adoring some Modernist without question.  

Soooo....who cares what he SAYS!  His skill is superb.....his imagination ...out of the box......the feel and effect of his work theatrical and mesmerizing....and to look upon his work requires that we think upon it. Great artist to me!

Carole Goldman

Ok, perhaps he is a good painter.  Eccentric, maybe obsessed with nudity and sex, and certainly exaggerates his importance (god complex?).  I've read all I care to about him.

As an old person I appreciate art with some juice, thought, color...as an artist I relish technique in display of these things. Indifferent to Nerdrum's chatter, I enjoy his work.

Courtney,

Great article!

I don't think mentioning the tax evasion scandal is problematic in the least. Unfortunately, sensationalism is the way that the media functions today, and to deny sensationalism to a great painter like Odd Nerdrum, is the same as hiding all his paintings in the basement so no one shall see them. Why do we care? How could we not care about one of the greatest painters of the last century - a living Old master?

Thank you for the thought provoking blog post!  Also, thanks for the free downloads.  This is really an interesting guy!  I enjoy his work.  I somewhat agree with what he says, but you made some great points.  

I think abstract art probably fits the description of not being from a particular time or place.  (This is just one way of interpreting what Odd says.)  Though, the medium used might give away the period of time in which it was created.  Though, art is one of those things that is able to transcend the boundaries of time  and location.  Something that was created hundreds of years ago in Africa is still valued today in America.

I do agree with you, though.  It's like he's saying that his work is trite, maybe even that not all art is worthy.  Everything in life is worth it's expression in art.