Felespiller 1942

'Felespiller' was painted by Jakob Weidemann, who was born in Norway in 1923. This image presents a dense, expressive composition, with forms seemingly emerging from an abstract background. Weidemann’s work sits within a broader context of post-war European art, which saw many artists turning to abstraction, perhaps as a way to grapple with the unspeakable horrors of World War II and the Holocaust. Norway, having been occupied by Nazi Germany, experienced a complex process of rebuilding and reckoning with its own wartime past. The turn towards abstraction might be viewed as a progressive move, a rejection of traditional forms that were associated with conservative ideologies. This included traditional landscape painting which had become associated with nationalistic sentiments. To understand Weidemann's work more fully, art historians consult archives, biographies, and exhibition reviews, as well as considering the socio-political climate in which he was working. These can help us understand the nuances of his artistic choices and his contribution to the development of abstract art in Norway and beyond.