Exhibition

Thorvald Hellesen. Pioneering Cubism

Thorvald Hellesen, “Composition” (detail), ca. 1919. Eckbos Legat.
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland

‘Colour orgies (…) hurled at the wall’. This was one of many disparaging descriptions of Thorvald Hellesen’s (1888–1937) debut exhibition in Kristiania (Oslo) in 1919. Never again did he exhibit in his homeland, and he was eventually forgotten.  
 
With this retrospective exhibition, Hellesen’s art, still unknown to many, is put on the map. It contains about 70 works, primarily paintings, but also gouaches, drawings, couture and interior design. 

More on Thorvald Hellesen in the museum guide

  1. Thorvald Hellesen, “Composition with dancers”, ca. 1914–15. Storebrand Group
  2. Thorvald Hellesen, “Balalaika”, ca. 1914-16 Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland 
  3. Thorvald Hellesen, “Composition”, ca. 1914-16 Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland 
  4. Thorvald Hellesen, “Composition”, ca. 1915-16 Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland 
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Thorvald Hellesen "Pioneering Cubism" is accompanied by an extensive learning-and-engagement programme and a richly illustrated catalogue. 
 
The exhibition is supported by the charitable foundation Eckbos Legat. 

  1. Thorvald Hellesen, “Composition”, 1927. Private Collection Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Morten Thorkildsen 
  2. Thorvald Hellesen, “Composition” (detail), ca. 1919. Eckbos Legat. Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland
  3. Thorvald Hellesen, “Portrait of Halvor John Schou”, 1911. Eckbos Legat
  4. Thorvald Hellesen at Ekeberg farm, summer 1935. The family Salvesen archives
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