Per Lundgren: Ole Didrik Lærum, 1996
Ole Didrik Lærum (1940-) was a professor of pathology at the University of Bergen until 2010. He has been active in cancer research, and has also made his mark as an educator, cultural historian and in university politics.
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In 1974, Lærum became an associate professor of experimental pathology and oncology at the Department of Pathology, Gade Institute, University of Bergen. He has been a full professor in the Department since 1980. Lærum’s production counts over 350 scientific articles, and both scientific and popular science books. He was appointed Grand Knight of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 1994, and Commander of the Order of St. Olav in 1996. Lærum was Pro-rector at the University of Bergen from 1984 to -89, and Rector from 1990 to -95.
In the portrait Lærum is dressed in Norwegian folk costume, a national twist that is characteristic both of the painter Per Lundgren, and of Lærum, who is from Voss. Lærum stands with his hands loosely clasped in front of him. Here is neither Rector’s chain, nor book, nor robe. Against a black background, the green waistcoat with red detail provides a splash of color in the black costume.
Per Lundgren (1959 -) was a student of Odd Nerdrum’s in the early 1980's, and has since contributed to forming the genre of Norwegian figuration. Lundgren was one of the artists who established The Norwegian School in the late 1990's. His landscape paintings depict the surroundings of his hometown of Kragerø, while his portraits seem to relate to the style of Russian painting of the early 1900s.
NORA SØRENSEN VAAGE