The 1935 tapestry titled Etiopia served as a direct reaction to the invasion of an African country, marking a shift toward politically charged textile art. Hannah Ryggen, a self-trained creator, produced approximately one hundred large-scale works during her career. She utilized a standing loom built by her husband, Hans Ryggen, while residing on a farm situated on a Norwegian Fjord.
Artistic Process and Technique
Ryggen worked as a textile artist in Norway, employing traditional methods rooted in the formal conventions of 17th and 18th-century folk arts. She dyed her own yarn using local plants gathered from the farm where she lived. Her compositions balanced figurative depictions with abstract elements, resulting in a distinct visual language. She remained self-taught, focusing on the production of monumental tapestries that functioned as political statements.
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A committed pacifist, Ryggen engaged with leftist and feminist journals and participated in international workers' movements. She was active in the Norwegian Communist Party. Her work often addressed the rise of fascism in Europe, identifying specific historical figures—such as Hitler, Göring, Quisling, Churchill, and Knut Hamsun—rather than relying on allegorical representation. In 1936, she produced 'Hitlerteppet', which depicted two decapitated figures. Another work, 'Drømmedød', focused on the brutality of concentration camps.
Exhibition History and Legacy
Ryggen gained significant professional recognition during her lifetime. In 1962, the Moderna Museet in Stockholm held a solo exhibition featuring twenty-eight of her works. She was the first female Norwegian artist to represent her country at the Venice Biennale in 1964. Her work 'Henders bruk', completed in 1949, holds the distinction of being the first textile artwork acquired by the National Gallery of Norway. Beyond these accolades, she received the Prince Eugen Medal in 1959 and was appointed Knight First Class of the Order of St. Olav in 1966.
Fast facts
- Born: 1894, Malmö
- Died: 1970, Trondheim
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Primary Occupation: Textile artist
- Prince Eugen Medal: 1959
- Knight First Class of the Order of St. Olav: 1966
- Estimated career output: 100 tapestries
Questions readers ask
What medium did Hannah Ryggen use?
She was a textile artist who created large-scale tapestries using yarn she dyed with local plants.
Was her work shown internationally?
Yes, her work was featured at the Paris World's Fair in 1937, the New York World's Fair in 1939, the Venice Biennale in 1964, and dOCUMENTA (13) in 2012.
Achievements
- Prince Eugen Medal — 1959
- Knight First Class of the Order of St. Olav — 1966
