Kulturkveld: Det tapte paradis – Louis Moe og hans kunst

We invite you to a lecture with Louis Moe collector Terje Bodin Larsen. The artist and cartoonist Louis Moe (1857-1945) was one of the Nordic countries' leading book illustrators of his time and grew up in Arendal, but never returned to his hometown. When Denmark celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of its world-famous poet and fairy tale teller H.C. Andersen in 2005, one of the motifs in the stamp series issued to mark the anniversary was "The Grim Elling" by Louis Moe. How is it that the Danes place Louis Moe at the center of their art history, while in Norway, and especially in his hometown of Arendal, he is barely mentioned? And why did he never return to his hometown after the city's leading citizens had paid for his art education in Kristiania and Copenhagen? Louis Moe and Theodor Kittelsen were young people at the same time for a couple of years in Arendal, and later study mates. Were they friends or competitors? And what was closest to Louis Moe's own heart – his gentle children's stories or dark eroticism? We try to understand more of Louis Moe and his artistry by looking at a selection of his works. Admission: 100 NOK. Tickets can be ordered online. Free admission for annual pass holders. Tickets are also sold at the entrance, if there are available seats. From 6:00 PM, coffee and a small sweet treat will be served in the café for those who wish to come before the lecture. Welcome!