Renovation plans for Samúel Jónsson’s former house are underway. Samuel Jónsson was born in 1889 and died in 1969. He was a farmer in Selárdal for most of his life until he became an artist during his twilight years; and in the process he became one of the greatest folk artists of the 20th century.
Samúel Jónsson was especially famous for his statues. Despite never having gone abroad, one of Samúel’s more famous works was a replica of the lion fountain located in the Alhambra palace in Spain. During his prodigious period, fellow Icelanders would come to visit and admire his art. This tradition will be kept alive since the renovated house is intended for artists and scholars to work on their projects. The plans for the house are to retain the original design and a German sculptor named Gerhard König has retouched many of Samúel’s statues.
According to the historian Ólafur J. Engilbertsson in an interview on rúv.is, the local area around Selárdal is renown for being locale of many events associated with magic and “it will be a treat for artists and scholars to stay there and produce work”.
Renovation plans for Samúel Jónsson’s former house are underway. Samuel Jónsson was born in 1889 and died in 1969. He was a farmer in Selárdal for most of his life until he became an artist during his twilight years; and in the process he became one of the greatest folk artists of the 20th century.
Samúel Jónsson was especially famous for his statues. Despite never having gone abroad, one of Samúel’s more famous works was a replica of the lion fountain located in the Alhambra palace in Spain. During his prodigious period, fellow Icelanders would come to visit and admire his art. This tradition will be kept alive since the renovated house is intended for artists and scholars to work on their projects. The plans for the house are to retain the original design and a German sculptor named Gerhard König has retouched many of Samúel’s statues.
According to the historian Ólafur J. Engilbertsson in an interview on rúv.is, the local area around Selárdal is renown for being locale of many events associated with magic and “it will be a treat for artists and scholars to stay there and produce work”.
