Mother Nature at The Einar Jónsson sculpture park, Iceland

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Title: Mother Nature Artist: Einar Jónsson Date: 1906 (?) Medium: Bronze Einar Jónsson pioneered Icelandic sculpture as its first master sculptor. From 1896 to 1899, he studied at the prestigious Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen under renowned instructors Wilhelm Bissen and Theobald Stein. Jónsson's groundbreaking work "Outlaws" laid the groundwork for Icelandic sculpture when it premiered at the Spring Salon in Copenhagen in 1901. Drawing inspiration from Iceland's rich folklore heritage, Jónsson infused his works with mythological and religious motifs. However, after residing in Rome from 1902 to 1903, he completely rejected naturalistic depiction and publicly denounced the classical art tradition, which he felt had stifled artists' creativity. Jónsson emphasized the importance of artists forging their own paths and cultivating originality and imagination instead of following established conventions. His ideas resonated with German symbolism, and he developed a figurative language composed of interpretable symbols, personification, and allegory. Jónsson's exposure to the ideas of Swedish theosopher Emanuel Swedenborg in 1910 had a profound impact on his life and art. From that point forward until his passing, Jónsson created complex figurative artworks rooted in theosophy. Although he tackled abstract themes, Jónsson employed concrete imagery, making it accessible for viewers to engage with his works on their own terms. Many of Jónsson's sculptures are proudly displayed throughout Reykjavik, including "Outlaws," situated near the old cemetery on Suðurgata, and "Ingolfur Arnarson," who gazes out upon the land he settled from atop Arnarholl Hill. Einar Jónsson was a trailblazer in Icelandic sculpture, and his influence on the country's visual arts has been substantial, albeit indirect. He returned to Iceland permanently in 1920 at the age of 46 and resided there until his passing in 1954. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help. Scanned: Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)