Grønne og violette farveprøver 1930s

Edvard Weie made this work, "Green and Violet Color Samples" on paper, but we don't know exactly when. It's located here at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. Weie was a Danish painter associated with the modernist group known as the "Bornholm School." This small work is a loose sketch of strokes in muted greens and violets, which seem to be an exploration of color theory, perhaps preparatory for a larger composition. The Danish art world of the early 20th century was grappling with the influences of both French Impressionism and German Expressionism. Weie and his contemporaries sought a distinctly Scandinavian form of modernism, rooted in the region's unique light and landscape. Art historians can research exhibition catalogs, artist's letters, and critical reviews to reconstruct the artistic debates of this time. By understanding the institutions and social forces that shaped Weie's career, we can better appreciate the public role of art in a specific cultural moment.