Steinar Jakobsen
By Arve Rød

The work of the Norwegian contemporary artist known for blending traditional painting techniques with innovative materials and tools, creating works that explore the intersection of classical art and modern visual cultureThe work of the Norwegian contemporary artist known for blending traditional painting techniques with innovative materials and tools, creating works that explore the intersection of classical art and modern visual culture.The book is the first English monograph dedicated to Steinar Jakobsen (b. 1967), one of Norway’s most prominent artists. Steinar Jakobsen graduated from the Oslo School of Drawing and Painting (1986-1988) and the National Academy of Fine Arts (1989-1993). Since his first solo exhibition at Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall in Arendal in 1996, Jakobsen contaminated traditional painting with a wide range of different techniques and materials, like aluminum and Plexiglas. He uses tools like sponges, cotton swabs, spray guns, and projectors to create both impressionistic and photorealistic works.Jakobsen’s works often merge different genres and visual references, drawing on both fine art and broader visual culture. His motifs are usually based on snapshots he has taken himself, and he is inspired by classical painters like Velázquez and Vermeer, as well as by pop culture and postmodern artists such as Gerhard Richter. Steinar Jakobsen (b. 1967) is one of Norway’s leading contemporary painters. His work is held in prominent collections, including the National Museum of Norway, the Astrup Fearnley Museum, and Harvard Business School in Boston.