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| Copyright © 2008 The Vinland Suite. The collection of 24 linocuts illustrating the Norse Discovery of Vinland - America. Each in a limeted edition of 200. Original LINOCUTS by JARLE ROSSELAND. THE VINLAND SAGA The Vinland saga is based upon two earlier sagas both written in the 14th century: The Saga of the Greenlanders and The Saga of Eirik the Red. To some extent the sagas are not wholly reliable in terms of factual accuracy, simply because no records were actually kept by the protagonists themselves. Nonetheless, most of the inscriptions bear the stamp of authenticity when seafaring, geography, zoology, ethnography, astronomy, and other subjects are discussed, which in themselves support the true historical basis of the sagas. We may think of the sagas in modern literacy terms as 'faction': stories underscored by a great deal of fact, embellished by some dramatic refinements of faction. One thing we are sure of: the confirmation through archaeological finds of the Viking discovery of America.
Law. Image size 35,3 cm. x 47,3 cm/ 14 inches x 18 1/2 inches LAW: As the Danish Vikings settled the northern lands of England, they brought with them a judicial and administrative system known as the 'Danelaw'. The civilized nature of these Scandinavians gave away to peaceful settlements based upon farming communities. Similarly, in the islands of the Faroes and Shetlands, a degree of law and order reigned, which gave a semblance of personal security to the new settlers. On Iceland the Althing, or peoples'assembly, was established in 930 AD. To legislate and dispense justice.
Terror Image size 38 cm x 62,5 cm/ 15 inches x 24 1/2 inches TERROR: But things were different in Norway and Denmark. Turbulent times troubled the people. King Håkon the Good of Norway, had drawn up legal codes, the Gulathing and Frostathing, and though a Christian, stayed his hand at enforcing his religious beliefs on the people of his country. His good deeds came to little: In 960 AD King Håkon was slain and replaced by a man of sharp contrasts named Harald Greycloak who sought, through terror and force, to suppress all heathen sacrificial practices. Harald in turn was killed, but his death did not resolve the internal strife that continued to exist within and between the two countries of Norway and Denmark.
Explorations Image size 51 cm x 45 cm/ 20 inches x 17 3/4 inches EXPLORATION: Against this background, the story of Eirik the Red emerges from the chilly landscape of Iceland. He came to Iceland with his father, Thorvald, due to a killing perpetrated in his hometown of Jæren in south-west Norway. Iceland had been discovered in the first half of the 9th. century and a stream of emigrants had made the way to it for a new life, though by about 930 AD the period of colonization had almost abated.
Heritage Image size 54 cm x 41 cm/ 21 inches x 16 inches HERITAGE: These settlers brought with them a heritage of communal law and justice that had been used in their own small villages in Norway and Denmark - the type of law which had been easily transplanted in England. Eirik was an outstanding leader, but a rebel too. Like his father, he soon found himself an outlaw in Iceland. The Icelandic Thorsnes court banished him for three years from the country for a murder he allegedly committed - Eirik took to sail and left to serve his punishment.
Eirik leaves for Greenland Image size 52 cm x 43 cm/ 20 1/2 inches x 17 inches EIRIK LEAVES FOR GREENLAND: Turning adversity to advantage, Eirik sailed westwards in search of a land that he'd heard of from other sources. He found Greenland, reaching it at a place he called Midjokul. He then sailed southwards along the coast to find out if the country was habitable. For three years he explored the coastline; giving names to each place he surveyed and visited.
Greenland Calls Image size 41,6 cm x 64,5 cm/ 16 inches x 25 1/2 inches
GREENLAND CALLS: The following summer of his third year - having served his period of exile - Eirik returned to Iceland, bringing with him news of a land worth settling in. He called this new discovery Greenland, saying that by giving it a good name people would want to live there. After wintering in Iceland, 25 ships in 985 AD set sail to Greenland packed with people hoping for a new life under Eirik's leadership. Only 14 ships made it, the rest being wrecked or turning back in bad weather. But Eirik established a farm at Brattahlid, where he remained for the rest of his life.
He had moved on Image size 49 cm x 58,6 cm/ 19 inches x 23 inches HE HAD MOVED ON: One of the men who had voyaged to Greenland with Eirik was Herjolf Herjolfsson. His son Bjarni still in Norway, set sail for Iceland to find his father, little knowing that he had moved on to Greenland as a settler. Upon his arrival in Eyr in Iceland, Bjarni learned of his father's departure to the new settlement, but was determined to follow him.
Bjarni Follows Image size 49 cm x 58,6 cm/ 19 inches x 23 inches BJARNI FOLLOWS: Bjarni's crew asked him what he intended to do . He replied that being a man of habit, he wanted to winter with his father in Greenland, but warned them that he knew nothing about the route there and that it would be dangerous. His crew gave little consideration to the dangers and agreed to sail with him all the same.
The Land Sank into the Sea Image size 47 cm x 44 cm/ 18 1/2 inches x 17 1/4 inches THE LAND SANK INTO THE SEA: Bjarni set out in search of Greenland and his father. After three days, the land disappeared and "sank into the sea. " They had little idea of which direction they were headed, except that it was mostly westerly.
The Fog Clears Image size 49,5 cm x 52 cm/ 19 1/2 inches x 20 1/2 inches
THE FOG CLEARS: The wind had dropped, and a fog replaced it. For days on end there was not much that Bjarni and his crew could do but drift aimlessly as the currents took them. Then the sun emerged from the clouds, allowing Bjarnis' crew to take bearings and put themselves on a westerly course, hoisting sail by day and night.
Foreign Shores Image size 47 cm x 61 cm/ 18 1/2 inches x 24 inches FOREIGN SHORES: Eventually Bjarni spotted land, causing great excitement among his crew. But from a distance none of them believed it could be Greenland. Bjarni decided to sail towards the shoreline, and their first impressions were confirmed. Unlike Greenland, they could see that the land had no mountains but was wooded with low ridges, unlike anything they had come across before.
Unknown Lands Image size 58,6 cm x 38 cm/ 23 inches x 15 inches UNKNOWN LANDS: Bjarni left the land on the port quarter and sailed onwards. Two days and two nights later his men caught sight of land again - once more it was flat and wooded. By this time Bjarni was anxious to reach his father before the winter set in. His men became restive, demanding that they go ashore to find food and water. Their captain's reply was curt and final: "You're not in need of either."
They Hoist Sail Image size 39 cm x 52 cm/ 15 inches x 20 inches THEY HOIST SAIL: Bjarni ordered them to hoist sail. With some reluctance and quite a few angry words, his men did so. They turned the prow away from the land and sailed out to sea with a south-westerly wind behind them for three days and nights.
Glaciers Image size 47 cm x 44 cm/ 18 1/2 inches x 17 inches GLACIERS: They spied the distant outline of a high and mountainous landscape, which was blanketed with glaciers. Bjarni decided not to lower sail but to continue on his course without stopping. He followed the coastline and discovered it to be an island.
Home At Last Image size 42 cm x 54 cm/ 16 1/2 inches x 21 inches HOME AT LAST: After four days and nights, they sighted land for the fourth time. Its appearance coincided with descriptions of Greenland given to Bjarni before he had left Iceland. They sailed inshore and there found a boat lying near a headland where they 'traced Herjolf, Bjarni's father, living on a farm he had recently established.
Herjolfsnes Day Image size 47 cm x 58 cm/ 18 1/2 inches x 23 inches HERJOLFSNES DAY: Bjarni was overjoyed at being reunited with his father and family. He made up his mind to remain with them in Greenland, helping them to farm the land and care for the livestock.
Herjofsnes Night Image size 47 cm x 58 cm/ 18 1/2 inches x 23 inches HERJOLFSNES NIGHT: But during the long winter evenings and nights, Bjarni was able to entertain his family and friends with stories of his seafaring exploits and the new lands he and his crew had encountered along the way.
A Fertile Land Image size 40 cm x 46 cm/ 15 3/4 inches x 18 inches A FERTILE LAND: News of Bjarni's voyage quickly spread amongst the Greenlanders. One of those to learn of it was Leif Eiriksson, son of Eirik the Red, a close friend of Bjarni's father. The story that there might be a more fertile land towards the west fired Leif's imagination. The new land offered the possibility of valuable timber for house building and ship construction, for Greenland already had to rely on its supply from Norway.
Setting Forth Image size 49,5 cm x 55 cm/ 19 1/2 inches x 21 1/2 inches SETTING FORTH: Thus in 992 AD. Leif Eiriksson assembled a crew of 35 men, purchased Bjarni's ship, and made preparations for his voyage West in search of the new found land. But not before he had asked his father Eirik if he wished to accompany him. Restless and still game for a seafaring adventure, Eirik agreed, but met with a horse riding accident which forced him to drop out of the expedition. Leif set forth without his father.
Inviting Shores 1 Image size 44,2 cm x 62,8 cm/17 1/2 inches x 24 3/4inches INVITING SHORES I: Leif first came across the glacier island described by Bjarni, though on this occasion the Viking sailors landed only to find that between the shore and ice there was nothing more than stone and rock. Leif called the island 'Hulluland' Stoneland and disappointed, hoist sail again.
Inviting Shores 2 Image size 44,2 cm x 62,8 cm/ 17 1/2 inches x 24 3/4 inches
INVITING SHORES II: Having sailed farther west for another two days, Leif came across an island with abundant grass and sweet dew. They crossed from the island to a headland, then took their ship up river where they found salmon in abundance and maple forests from which they could construct their crude huts. It was at this time, according to the saga, that one of the men on the expedition found grapes and vines, prompting Leif to name the new found land "Vinland" or Wineland.
Settlement Image size 46,3 cm x 58,5 cm/ 18 inches x 23 inches SETTLEMENT: After building their huts, Leif and his men wintered in Vinland. He returned to Greenland in the spring but his brother Thorwald assembled another crew who sailed to Vinland. They found the dwellings built by Leif's men and stayed there. When spring arrived, they struck camp and explored the coastline further. They came upon wooded fjords, which led Thorwald to exclaim: "This is truly a fair land. Here I will build my farm." Other Viking expeditions followed, intent upon settling in Vinland.
Inuits Image size 40,5 cm x 54,2 cm/ 16 inches x 21 inches INUITS: Vinland was rich in timber, teeming with wildlife, but its inhabitants were hostile. Leif's expedition was the first to encounter the local Indians, or Skraelings as the Vikings called them. Subsequent expeditions of Viking settlers tried to barter with the Skraelings, but to no avail. Temporarily the Indians were appeased, but not for long.
Memory Imge size 56 cm x 52 cm/ 22 inches x 20 1/2 inches MEMORY: The hostility of the Skraelings, who greatly outnumbered the small contingent of the Greenlanders attempting to settle in Vinland, was only one reason why further efforts to colonize the country were abandoned. Another was the fragility of the lines of communication. Links with the home-base were overextended and weak As the years passed by, Greenland itself became isolated from its eastern lifeline to Iceland and Norway. As the climate became colder, the glaciers moved south, and ice drifts began to envelope Greenland's coastline cutting it off from the seaways which lead eastwards to Scandinavia. END: Words not pictures, describe the passing away of the Viking attempt to settle North America. The ravages of bubonic plague, which swept across Europe and decimated the populations of Norway and Denmark finally severed all contact with Greenland. By the end of the 13th century the Viking settlements had been abandoned, the inhabitants gone, leaving Greenland's Skraelings - the Eskimos - to occupy them. Less than two hundred years later other Europeans stepped ashore in the Americas. By then, the Viking achievement had become a faint memory, lost in the mist of time.
"THE
VINLAND SUITE" BY JARLE ROSSELAND A
FAMOUS SERIES OF ART
TO COMMEMORATE A WORLD DISCOVERY
Copyright © 2000
Son of Iceland & Grandson of Norway MILLENNIUM OF THE FIRST EUROPEAN VOYAGE TO
AMERICA.
WE DISCOVERED YOUR WORLD
The
fierce Norsemen established kingdoms in the British isles These adventurers found and settled Iceland, but they also
pointed their dragon-headed prows
into the sunset and sailed across the North Atlantic. depicting the Norse Viking by
Bjarni Herjolfson in 986 to the more important discovery "Vinland" by Leif Eiriksson around the year 1000. "Vinland" and stayed there for as Leif Eiriksson day, in commemoration of his achievement. The "Vinland Exhibition" has traveld the world through south east Asia, Europe and the American continent. It has been on show in Museums in Europe and America as well as all the 16 National Museums of Canada, and is frequently in use for illustrations in books and
publications. JARLE ROSSELAND,
What
is it that makes an artist look at his country's Jarle Rosseland literature and landscapes, he has devoted his life to just such work. In the words of the art-critic Juraj Baldani, Zagreb/Paris,
"he seeks to combine traditional with modern heritage with avantgarde Philip Mead in Bangkok "His landscapes are enveloped with an artistic affectionwhich reflects the artist*s intense love of his culture and environment." He wrote the artist "You have permitted your own Scandinavian heritage to shine through your work, and that -to my own mind- is to be applauded. "
Jarle Rosseland worked exclusively on the 24 linocuts composing "The Vinland Suite" during 1984 and 1985. He has to the Viking discovery of Vinland -America- historical THE
ARTIST JARLE
ROSSELAND AT THE TURN
OF THE CENTURY. Rosseland
captures the spirit of Norway. It was his publicist in New York
who had told him, “you have to try to underscore the Norwegian”. Jarle Rosseland (b.1952), living
in Oslo, is one of Norway’s most
accomplished artists, sculptors. He has
held over 250 exhibits in USA,
Canada, Asia and Europe National Museums. May 29, 1999 his sculpture “Vinland” a 22 ton stone monumentwas inaugurated at the Chicago Athenaeum Museum’s international sculpture park in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Museum has further commissioned two more sculptures by Mr. Rosseland to be placed near the O’Haire airport, Illinois, and at Palm Rosseland has since his youth and
studies of art in New York, Hayter-techniques, and his later professorship in graphics
at Silvermine Guild, Conn. Now Yale University, maintained strong relations to the USA. Through the publicist Bruce White of the Original Print Collectors group, the
USA was his main income as a young artist. Rosseland is one of the few artists who has further
developed the linocuts, which in addition to being an art form has maintained the time-demanding
craftsmanship of the woodcut. Today his activities as a
multi-artist, working in most media spans the world. He is a guest Professor at the Silpacorne
University, in Bangkok, Thailand, his paintings has been on show By the City of Paris, France, he is working on a design-project in India, and has illustrated books in Germany, France and Norway. Rosseland has designed porcelain, glass and jewellery and has had a tapestry studio in Zagreb, Croatia since 1986. Rosseland’s most resent
exhibits in the USA has been with the Chicago Athenaeum Museum, of modern architecture and design, where he has participated in design exhibits from 96 to 1999, and now is
showing prints and paintings. The Museum also commissioned his sculpture “Vinland” a major work of
contemporary art to commemorate the 1.000-year anniversary of the Viking discovery of the
Americas. This anniversary will be celebrated from 1999 to 2002 by the Scandinavian countries of
Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, as well as the North American countries of Canada and
The United States. The sculpture takes form of a ship – 18 giant stones quarried from Karmøy, Norway. 20 ton of stone becomes a gigantic time piece, measuring the sun’s angle and height over the horizon and giving accurate measurements of the planets in the years 1000. 2000 and 3000. The Museum will publish a book about the sculpture, and Mr. Rosseland’s art. Mr. Rosseland served as member of the jury for the US annual prize “Good Design” 1999. Rosseland also represented Norway
with an exhibit at the Norwegian Christmas Celebration At Union Station, Washington DC.
98. and “The Norsk Høstfest” in Minot N. Dacota 99. On June 22 1999, two large oil
paintings by Rosseland of The Akershus Castle and Fortress in Oslo, Norway, was inaugurated during the 700th anniversary celebration of this national edifice. The Norwegian Military Academy has commissioned the artist to depict their
history of 250 years in operation with
works of graphic art, one of which was the Academy’s official gift to the US President, Bill
Clinton, during his visit to Oslo in November 1999. 5 motives of military history has been selected as wine labels to mark the jubilee High quality red wine from Cahors, France, by Comte Jean Baptiste De Monpezat and white wine from Paul Graf Von Schönborn, Germany has been introduced to the Norwegian marked. year 2000 grant from The Japan Foundation for travel, study, and exhibition purpose in Japan.
The Vikings in Europe. After Charlemagne's death in the 9th century the pease he had brought to western Europe was shattered by a new race of predators, sea raiders and r overs from Scandinavia and northern France, hunting for booty and territory. the Vikings' reputation as great navigators and fearsome warriors hapersisted for a thousand years, since the days they raided, burned and settled land from
Newfoundland to the black sea. Causing terror wherever the long, slim ships appeared. One of the very few who successfully resisted the Vikings was Alfred the Great who patiently built up an Anglo-Saxon army and navy to protect the kingdom of Wessex, England (He is greatly thought of as the founder of the Royal Navy). But two hundred years later another Norman leader, William the Conqueror, a Norwegian
descendant of the Vikings, would capture himself
king. Britain,
and the Danes who came inland in Britain and France. To the east Russia was invaded by the Swedes. In a relatively short time the
Vikings had made a lasting impression on the greater part of Europe. Discovery
of the New World. The New world must have been "discovered" more times than any other land mass on earth. first it was Asiatic nomads who other
traditional game.
of years BC and slowly covered the whole continent. These
were followed centuries later by Vikings who settled on other places. years ago. Evidence of the Viking settlement has been discovered at
L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland
in the archaeological expeditions lead by the L'Anse aux Meadows now has a museum upon the American continent almost 500 years after the Vikings by
chance, but his name lives on as
discoverer. immigrants is that he was employed rich
trade with China and instead found the riches of the All
American Presidents has since 1964 signed a proclamation Leif Eiriksson day, in than 1000 years ago. _____________________________________________________________________________ The Vinland Sculpture. The Chicago Athenaeums Museums Sculptureparc, Scaumburg.
____________________________________________ OVERSIKT OVER HVOR
VINLAND SUITEN HAR VÆRT VIST. (Totalt 76 utstilling, hvorav 22 museums utstillinger 1985 –2000. I tillegg har det vært enkelt utstillinger i USA i perioden 1989 til 1998 – disse har jeg ikke
oversikt over) Vinland suiten vises permanent i Nordic Heritage Museum, Seatle, USA. 2000 Galleri NK, Lillehammer, Norway (o). Gol Kunstforening, Norway (o). Oldendagene, Mølla, Olden, Norway (o).Nordic Heritage Museum, Seatle, USA.(o) Carlson
Tower Gallery, North Park University, Chicago, USA (o). 1999 The Chicago Athenaeum Museum, at Schaumurg, 11 paintings, 24 prints and Vinland Sculpture inaugurated - int, sculpturepark, USA (o). "Norsk Høstfest", Minot, Nord Dakota, USA (o) 1998 Union
Station, Washington DC, USA (o) (43 lino-cuts, 5 paintings and one tapestry). 1989
Storstrøm Museum, Jarle Rosseland and Marck Chagal, Denmark (o-o). National Museum of Canada, Prairie Gallery, Alberta, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Cronquist House, Reed Deer, Alberta, Canada (o). Northern Life Museum and National Exh. Center, Forth Smith, North West Territories, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Prince of Whales, Nortwest Terr., Canada (o).
1988
National Museum of Canada, National Library, Ottawa, Canada (o). Galleri J de V, Malmø, Sweden (o). Galleri Lily, Narvik, Norway (o). Galleri Tyr, Asker, Norway (o). Kulturhuset, Stavanger, Norway (o). DB&C Art Gallery, Brussels, Belgium (o). National Museum of Canada, Woodstock Art Gallery, Ontario, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ont., Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Owens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New-Brunswick, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Northwestern National Exhibition Center, Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Moose Jaw Art Museum, National Exhibition Centere, Saskatchewan, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, Estevan National Exhibition Center, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada (o). Red Deer and District Museum and Archives, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada (o). Museè Heritage museum, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada (o). National Museum of Canada, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (o). Airport Hotel, Hamburg, Germany (o). 1987
Gallerie Du Bellay, Paris, France (o). Immages of the North, San Francisco, USA (o). Augustana College, Soux Falls, South Dacota, USA (o). Elvehjem Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin, USA (o). The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington DC, USA (o). Galeria IGLG, Ljubeleana, Yougoslavia (o). National Museums of Canada, Calgary, Canada (o).Galleri Kalle, Kalle Hovedgård, Lofoten, Norway (o). Kongeparken, Norway (o) The College of Marin, San Francisco, USA (o). Luther College, Decorah, USA (o). Coon Valley, Wisconsin, USA (o). Lutheran Brotherhood Exhibit Hall, Mineapolis, USA (o). Dantrade, Brussels, Belgium (o). National Museum of Canada, Sinclar Center, Vancover, Canada (o).National Museum of Canada, Municipal Bulding, Calgary, Canada (o).
1986
The Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway (o). Galleri Kjell Olsen, Drammen, Norway (o). L’Hotel d’Escoville, Caen, France (o). Galleri Vesteraalen, Sortland, Norway (o). Lødingen Kunstforening, Norway (o). Hadsel Kunstforening, Norway (o). Bodø Kunstforening, Bodø, Norway (o). Svalbard Kultursrtyre, Longyerbyen, Svalbard (o). Tromsø Kulturhus (G.Vesteraalen), Tromsø, Norway (o). Harstad Kunstforening, Harstad, Norway (o). Sjøfarts Museet, Trondheim, Norway (o). Galleri Siverts, Bergen, Norway (o). Ringerike Kunstforening, Hønefoss, Norway (o). Horten Kunstforening, Horten, Norway (o). Skien Kunstforening, Skien, Norway (o). Kristiansund Kunstforening, Kristiansund, Norway (o). Rauma Kunstforening, Isfjorden, Noway (o). Smøla Kunstlag, Norway (o). Hareid Kunstlag, Norway (o). Ulstein Kunstlag, Norway (o). Herøy Kunstlag, Norway (o). Sande Kunstlag. Norway (o). Vanylven Kunstlag, Norway (o). Ørsta Kunstlag, Norway (o). Stranda Kunstlag, Norway (o). Aukra Kunstlag, Norway (o). Galeria Sebastian, Dubrovnic, Yougoslavia (o). Texas State Fair, Dallas, Texas, USA (o). World Trade Center, Boston, USA (o). Heritage Museum, Moorhead, Minnesota, USA (o). Festival of the Masters, Disney World, Florida, USA (o). Kenaree-Unicorn Art Co., Hilton, Bangkok, Thailand (o). Galleri Flora, Ålesund, Norway (o). New York Art Expo, New York, USA (o-g). Hardangerutstillingen, Utne, Norway (o-g). Lakspure Landing, Main County, California, USA (o). Artrium Galleria, Beograd, Yougoslavia (o). Marin Cultural Center and Museum, San Francisco, USA (o). Augsburg College, Minneapolis, USA(o).
1985 Galleri Kjell Olsen, Drammen, Norway (o). IBM, Oslo, Norway (o). New York Art Expo (SPARKS), New York, USA (g). Venesla Kunstlag, Norway (o).
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