Odd Nerdrum
 

I was over at Amazon and came across this artist, Odd Nerdrum. I've never heard of him. His paintings are kind of a cross between Rembrandt and Bruegel. His subject matter is kind of heavy (amputees, corpses, etc.) and "odd", but his technique is interesting. He has a book out.

I read somewhere that he might be one of the most important figurative painters alive. He painted some "odd" and some very beautiful paintings.

Hi Steve,

I pre-ordered this book several months ago, and hopefully it will show up in the mail soon! I really like his work a great deal.

Here's the cover of an older book. What a strong painting of a head. There's lots of form and dimension. Quite impressive.
Chris and Claudmir, I'm glad you and others are aware of him. Obviously, I haven't been paying attention.
I'm ordering one of his books as well.

Steve

"Themes"
 

How funny that I would come across this post today. I, too, came across his work on Amazon recently. I happened to be at the local Borders Book Store to look at books on artists today and I came across Odd Nerdrum's book "Themes". I came home and ordered it with one day delivery, I was so excited about it!

Does anybody have any other suggestions for books on contemporary figurative artists? I saw a couple on Lucian Freud . . . . Francis Bacon . . . . but those didn't grab me like the about Odd Nerdrum.

thanks,
Joan

I own an Odd Nerdrum book and I'm a big admirer as well.

Joan, I'm a bit of a book freak - I've got books by Vincent Desiderio, Steve Assael, Yuqi Wang and Claudio Bravo (to name a few off the top of my head) - if you go to the SOG bookstore you can search on Amazon and Ebay for them if you like their work. I'm also a big fan of an artist named Istfan Sandorfi, let me know if you get a hold of his book, it's one that I'm missing.

I recently bought the Nerdrum book myself. I first saw his other book several years ago, but as I recall it was much more expensive. The new book is of equal, or maybe better quality, and costs a lot less.

As for recommendations, I like my Zhaoming Wu book, but it was quite expensive. I've seen several of his originals in a New Orleans gallery, and fell in love. Expensive book, though.

I've also seen an original Nerdrum, years ago before I knew who he was. It's in the New Orleans museum, but they tend to move it, and I can't always find it. I was with friends last time I was there, and didn't want to make them stick around for me to search the museum.

Oh goody!
 

Thank you Linda and Jeff for those suggestions. I love books too and I look forward to taking a look at those books. Tomorrow though, it's getting late.

Joan

p.s. Jeff, I'm testing my signature.

Ahem, if you're ordering from Amazon.com, please use this link so the Forum gets a small percent:

Odd Nerdrum books at Amazon

I assume some of you have seen his "exposed" self-portrait. Ahem again.

Uh...yeah. I think its sort of like passing a car wreck. You don't really want to look.

I have never really liked Odd Nerdrum. He's a bit uptight in both expression and technique. A bit too clever and self-conscious.

On the other hand I find looking at a Francis Bacon original almost a religious experience. He paints operatically, symphonically. His work soars. He is one of, if not the, greatest artist of the 20th century (He's not contemporary - he died in 1992).

I did my Masters thesis on Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud. I used to like Freud when I was starting out in my career, but now I find his work a bit too grumbly, monotonous and miserably grey - like London weather. Still, he's one of the best, or has been.

I have studied the techniques of this painter and would be happy to discuss the progress with other members of this forum.

Grethe,

Don't leave us hanging. Tell us what you know. I've only found one page on the internet that hints at Nerdrum's process. If you can shed more light, please do.

J

Is this the page Jeff?
http://fishingjunk.com/?p=55

If not so, let me know about the one you mentioned.

And Grethe, please, start the discussion.