Hörður Ágústsson
Hörður Ágústsson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 February 1922 |
| Died | 10 September 2005 (aged 83) |
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| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Alma mater | Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts |
| Notable works |
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| Notable awards |
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Hörður Ágústsson (4 February 1922 – 10 September 2005) was an Icelandic painter, architectural historian, educator, and designer.[1] He was a key figure in the introduction of geometric abstraction to Icelandic art and is recognized for his pioneering research into the nation's architectural heritage. His work across multiple disciplines had a significant influence on Iceland's cultural identity in the 20th century.[1][2][3]
Career
Visual Art
In the 1950s, after studying in Copenhagen and Paris, Ágústsson became a leading proponent of geometric abstraction in Iceland, influenced by the principles of the Bauhaus school.[1] He developed a unique technique using colored adhesive tape instead of paint to create hard-edged, formal compositions.[1] He retired from his art practice in 1978 to dedicate his focus to historical research.[4]
Architectural History and Preservation
Beginning in the 1960s, Ágústsson conducted extensive research into Iceland's building traditions.[2] He elevated the study of vernacular structures like the Icelandic turf house, arguing for their architectural significance.[5] His work on the historical churches of Skálholt was foundational for architectural preservation in Iceland.[6] He was a key figure in the establishment of the State Architectural Heritage Committee and designed the reconstructed Viking-era farmstead, Þjóðveldisbærinn.[7]
Cultural and Educational Roles
Ágústsson was a co-founder, editor, and the primary designer for Birtingur, an Icelandic modernist cultural journal, from 1955 to 1968.[8] He was also an influential teacher and director at the Icelandic College of Art and Handicrafts for nearly three decades, mentoring a generation of artists and designers.[5]
Major Publications and Awards
Selected Publications
| Title (Icelandic) | English Translation | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Íslensk byggingararfleifð I & II | Icelandic Architectural Heritage I & II | — | [9] |
| Skálholt: kirkjur | Skálholt: Churches | — | [10] |
| Skálholt: skrúði og áhöld | Skálholt: Vestments and Implements | co-authored with Kristján Eldjárn | [11] |
| Dómsdagur og helgir menn á Hólum | Doomsday and Holy Men at Hólar | — | [12] |
Awards and Recognition
- Icelandic Literary Prize: Received twice for non-fiction, in 1990 and 1998.[7]
- Honorary Doctorate: Awarded by the University of Iceland in 1991 for his work in architectural history.[7]
He was a fellow of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters from 1991.[13]
References
- ^ a b c d Daníelsson, Birgir Már (2025-03-05). "Exhibitions". hvammsvik.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ a b "Hörður Ágústsson Painter". Saga - Tímarit Sögufélags. Sögufélag: 179–187. ISSN 0256-8411.
- ^ ArtFacts. "Hordur Agustsson | Exhibition". ArtFacts. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "HÖRÐUR ÁGÚSTSSON, CAMILLA LØW, SERGIO SISTER, ÞÓR VIGFÚSSON | 19 December 2013 - 1 February 2014". i8 Gallery. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ a b "Morgunblaðið" (in Icelandic). No. 255. ISSN 1021-7266.
- ^ Lucas, Gavin; Batey, Colleen. Hofstaðir: Excavations of a Viking Age Feasting Hall in North-eastern Iceland. Institute of Archaeology, 2009. ISBN 9789979994602. ISSN 1670-8431.
- ^ a b c "Hörður Ágústsson látinn". www.mbl.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Helgason, Þröstur. "An Open Field of Play and Experimentation – The Little Magazine Birtingur" (PDF). A Cultural History of the Avant-Garde in the Nordic Countries 1950-1975: 181–190. doi:10.1163/9789004310506_017.
- ^ "Hörður Ágústsson. Íslensk byggingararfleifð I." SAGA (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Skálholt -Kirkjur – Hið íslenska bókmenntafélag". hib.is. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "SKALHOLT by Kristjan Eldjarn and Hordur Agustsson: Fine Hardcover (1992) | Stony Hill Books". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ OpenLibrary.org. "Hörður Ágústsson". Open Library. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Utenlandske medlemmer". Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2023.