Fridtjof Nansen - the artist

Beyond his well-known accomplishments as an explorer, scientist and humanitarian, Fridtjof Nansen was also a talented and passionate artist. This book explores the lesser-known aspect of Nansen's life: his artistic journey that spanned from his youth to old age. Nansen's art was profoundly influenced by his exploration of the Arctic regions. The breathtaking and ever-changing landscapes and wildlife of the Arctic became dominant subjects in his artwork. He used watercolors and pastels to capture the raw beauty of icebergs, glaciers and the unique Arctic light - perhaps the most enchanting aspects of his artistic legacy. Later, he illustrated his own books with sketches and drawings and created rare graphic works based on his photos of polar bears and hunting trips with close friends. This book offers the most comprehensive study of Nansen's art, presenting the majority of his watercolors, pastels, sketches, drawings, book illustrations, and lithographs, along with the photos that inspired many of his artworks. More than 370 illustrations and photos.