Kjarvals Hvammur - An Artists Retreat
Kjarvals Hvammur - An Artists Retreat
Sited by road 94, about 25 minutes drive north of Egilsstadir, Kjarvalshvammur was the summer cabin of Johannes S. Kjarval (1889-1972). Iceland's most celebrated painter, Kjarval grew up in the nearby village of Borgarfjordur Eystri but spent extended periods camped out on the banks of the River Selfljot. The farmer gave this plot of land to the artist and built the modest cabin and boathouse for him, which became the only property that Kjarval owned. Many of the artist's best-known paintings were created in this humble setting.
Kjarval's boat, Gullmafur (Golden Gull) is still in the boathouse. On its maiden and only voyage, Kjarval sailed it alone down the river and out to sea to Borgarfjordur Eystri. This adventurous trip caught the attention of the press, intrigued by yet another enigmatic exploit of the beloved artist.
Kjarvalshvammur was the summer cabin of Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1889-1972). Iceland's most celebrated painter, Kjarval grew up in the nearby village of Borgarfjorður Eystri but spent extended periods camped out on the banks of the River Selfljot. The farmer gave this plot of land to the artist and built the cabin and boathouse for him, which became the only property that Kjarval owned. Many of the artist's best-known paintings were created in this humble setting.
Kjarval's boat, Gullmafur (Golden Gull) is still in the boathouse. On its maiden and only voyage, Kjarval sailed it alone down the river and out to sea to Borgarfjordur Eystri. This adventurous trip caught the attention of the press, intrigued by yet another enigmatic exploit of the beloved artist.