Journey to the interior, Anna-Eva Bergman's exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, our photos

For the first time, the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris is devoting a major retrospective to the Norwegian artist Anna-Eva Bergman (1909-1987). This contemporary painter, an emblematic figure of the post-war period and theorist of art and her art, is best known for her abstract landscapes, made with gold and silver leaf.

From March 31 to July 16, 2023, discover the fascinating work of this artist and her unique universe by visiting the exhibition Journey to the Interior. Despite the importance of her work, Anna-Eva Bergman remains little known to the European public. This exhibition should rectify this injustice, and allow us to discover a unique painter, who rejected the norms of her time to create works and an innovative style, recognizable among all.

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Thus, the Norwegian artist stands out for her use of metal sheets (gold, silver, pewter, aluminum, copper, lead, bismuth...) from the 1940s, inspired by the altarpieces of Norwegian churches of the Middle Ages. Continually personalizing this technique, the artist combines it with painting to create pure forms.

Anna-Eva Bergman also has her favorite themes: in her own way, she magnifies the nature that surrounds her, from the mountains and fjords of Northern Norway to the beaches of the Mediterranean and Spain... The natural elements, such as fire and water, also enter her compositions, in abstract forms: a line, a set of colors are enough to represent these subjects. The theme of the horizon is also very present. Begun in 1962, it made its appearance in the artist's painting and became for her a cardinal motif that would take on a crucial role until the end of her life.

The exhibition presented at the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris brings together approximately 290 works and objects, including several photographs, drawings, archival documents and, of course, unpublished works. This exceptional collection highlights the artist's many working techniques (watercolor on paper, oil on canvas, tempera on canvas, graphite on paper, oil on wood panel, lithographs, tempera and metal leaf on plywood panel, Indian ink and gouache on paper...), but also his interest in caricature or architecture...

Following a chronological path, the visit begins with the anti-Nazi drawings made by the artist between 1941 and 1944, illustrating the occupation of Norway by Germany. We then discover his sumptuous paintings inspired by his travels in northern Norway. Here, the Scandinavian country is transcended by the various works of the artist.

Throughout the various exhibition spaces, we discover with fascination the major stages and evolution ofAnna-Eva Bergman's work, from figurative to abstract. The exhibition"Journey to the Interior" ends with the magnificent monumental works of the artist where abstraction takes on its full meaning.

Take advantage of this new retrospective to discover Anna-Eva Bergman and her works, a beautiful discovery for lovers ofabstract and contemporary art, but also of nature. "The way to art is through nature and the attitude we have towards it", said the artist.