Odd Nerdrum

Steve Craighead · 08-20-2007, 01:18 PM

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

Joan Breckwoldt · 08-20-2007, 07:58 PM

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

Linda Brandon · 08-20-2007, 09:50 PM

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.

Jeff Fuchs · 08-20-2007, 10:45 PM

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.

Joan Breckwoldt · 08-20-2007, 10:55 PM

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.

Cynthia Daniel · 08-20-2007, 11:15 PM

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.

Steve Craighead · 08-21-2007, 10:47 AM

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

Thomasin Dewhurst · 08-21-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

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.

Grethe Angen · 08-26-2007, 04:33 PM

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

Jeff Fuchs · 08-26-2007, 08:37 PM

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