Le mythe du retour

The introduction describes the conditions of Swedish and Norwegian artists in their homeland and the importance of their training in Europe between 1889 and 1908. Part 1, based on previously unpublished correspondence, is divided into four biographical chapters organized by the artists' residency in France: 1889-1908; 1890's; early 1900's; and, the entry of Edvard Munch. Part 2 provides statistics about Scandinavian artists in Parisian Salons based on an analysis of exhibition catalogs; a study of the national identity of expatriate Scandinavian artists; and, a methodical review into why there is an assumption that Scandinavian artists returned to their home countries after the 1880's. An appendix includes a list of exhibiting Swedish and Norwegian artists between 1889 and 1908 in the five most important Paris Salons at the time.