Christian Krohg (1852-1925):Le Peuple du Nord/ The People of the North

This catalog accompanies the first major retrospective outside of Scandinavia dedicated to the Norwegian artist Christian Krohg (1852–1925), organized in collaboration with the National Museum of Oslo. The exhibition completes the Musée d’Orsay’s trilogy on Norwegian art at the turn of the 20th century, following landmark shows on Edvard Munch and Harriet Backer.

Krohg was not only a painter, but also a writer and journalist, known for his naturalistic, socially engaged works. His art offers a powerful and compassionate depiction of life in the North — the struggles of working people, poverty, and injustice, particularly as experienced by women. Special attention is given to his controversial novel and painting Albertine, which caused a national stir in Norway.

The catalog is structured around four thematic chapters that trace Krohg’s artistic journey, his connections to French painters like Gustave Courbet and Édouard Manet, and his enduring impact on modern art. Richly illustrated and featuring essays by leading scholars, this is a vital resource for anyone interested in Nordic painting, realism, and the intersection of art and social reform.