Retrospective

Kristín Jónsdóttir (1888–1959) was one of the pioneers of Icelandic art. In 1916, she became the first Icelandic woman to graduate from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, where she played an active role in the city’s art scene until moving to Iceland in 1924. For decades, she was a prominent figure in Icelandic art, exhibiting her work in numerous exhibitions.

Kristín drew on a wide range of subjects and is believed to have been the first Icelandic artist to paint people at work. She is, however, best known for her still life and landscape paintings, and she ventured fearlessly into Iceland’s wilderness in search of inspiration. She also designed furniture and other household objects, and the home she shared with Valtýr Stefánsson was renowned as a centre of cultural life. Kristín was an important role model for many, readily encouraging younger generations to pursue their artistic ambitions.

The last retrospective of Kristín Jónsdóttir’s work was held in 1980, making a survey of this remarkable pioneer’s career long overdue.