Odd Nerdrum

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Originally Posted by Joan Breckwoldt

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 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.