"Flight" by Ásgrímur Jónsson

Iceland 1971, the painting "Flight" depicted on this 10kr stamp on the FDC is a  painting by Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876 – 1958). The painting is not a picture of a particular place, but does refer to a folktale. In the register of the National Gallery of Iceland, on the artwork gift of Ásgrímur Jónsson to the National Gallery, this painting "Flight" is classified in the group of "Folklore", not in Asgrimur Jónsson "Landscape" paintings.“

The mountain in the picture of the painting "Flight" looks like Mt. Búrfell in Thjorsardalur. The waterfall looks in a number of ways like the Tröllkonuhlaup waterfall. Presumably Asgrimur Jónsson took the Tröllkonuhlaup - waterfall and Mt. Burfell into consideration when painting his picture as he knew this area very well.

The stamp shown is to highlight the plight of Displaced People (Flottafolk), is also depicted on the cover,

Ásgrímur Jónsson (March 4, 1876 - April 5, 1958) was an Icelandic painter, and one of the first in the country to make art a professional living. He studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen between 1900-1903 and traveled widely after graduation. The subjects of his pictures are mostly the landscapes of his home country, particularly mountains. His painting style is similar to the French impressionists like Corot. Some of his pictures also illustrate Icelandic sagas and folk tales. He was also noted for his murals in various churches in Iceland. A number of his works are on display in the National Gallery of Iceland. Jónsson influenced many artists in Iceland.

Thank you Maria for this thought provoking FDC.