Per Palle Storm
Per Palle Storm (1910 to 1994) was a Danish-born Norwegian sculptor, draughtsman and printmaker who grew up in Buenos Aires.
Model studies and naturalism
Storm studied with Wilhelm Rasmussen at Statens Kunstakademi in Oslo from 1930 to 1933, later becoming professor there from 1947 to 1980. His teaching and practice were grounded in observing nature and the living model.
Skeleton, muscles and posture were central to his naturalism. A resting figure could convey tension through the interaction of joints, weight and support. Portraits might be tightly structured or more roughly modelled. The character of the surface must therefore be considered in relation to the particular work.
Monuments: competition and unveiling are different dates
Storm won the competition for the Thorleif Haug monument in Drammen in 1939. Norsk kunstnerleksikon dates the bronze work to 1941/42, while the unveiling took place in 1946. The war delayed its installation. The standing skier, holding skis and poles, exemplifies his public portraiture and full-length figures.
Six worker sculptures stand outside Oslo City Hall: Elektrikeren, Steinhoggeren, Tømmermannen, Steinbryteren, Håndlangeren and Mureren. Oslo's municipal art collection gives dates ranging from 1949 to 1960. Occupation, tools and posture contribute to their depiction of work. A single model or casting year should not be assigned to all six.
The smaller figure and portraiture
Sammenkrøkt in Kristiansand is catalogued as cast bronze. The municipality records its erection in 1945 as a gift from Sigurd Gjertsen. The woman crouches with her legs drawn in and face partly hidden. Her gripping toes and stretched back make the position physically palpable. The installation year does not automatically date every cast of the subject.
Norsk kunstnerleksikon describes the portrait bust of Ingeborg Storm as bronze from 1955. Compared with its stricter form, the later portrait of Claes Gill has a freer surface treatment. He also illustrated Benvenuto Cellini's Mitt liv (1946).
What should be examined in a Storm work?
A monument, a model and a small cast are different objects even when the figures resemble one another. Dimensions and material must concern the particular example. Document base, inscriptions, foundry marks and ownership history; an artist's lifespan does not establish edition or casting date. Examine bronze surfaces for damage, corrosion, later patination and repairs. Drawings and prints require their own identification of technique and any edition. An artist's name or similar signature alone authenticates no object.
Read more about artist signatures, provenance and ownership history.
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