A stunning collection expanding over a period of fifty years from 1912 through to the 1960s. The Art Centre was founded in 1968 as a result of a unique donation by Sonja Henie and Niels Onstad. Part of their donation was their art collection, expanding over a period of fifty years from 1912 through to the 1960s. In 1968 it gained a permanent home at the Henie Onstad Art Centre where it was presented to the public as a double exhibition entitled 50 Years of Living Art. Before this the collection had been on tour, and was exhibited at most of the major art museums in Europe. For the first time this Collection is the focus of a publication, presented here together with a small selection of other artworks that have been chosen over the years. The classical characteristics of the works in this collection have always been indivisibly connected with the notion of beauty, for what can rejoice the eye and give peace of mind. The main accent is on pioneers like Juan Gris on the one hand and Munch and Matisse on the other. A typical feature is the emphasis on the French school, where classical beauty has its clearest expression. This is underlined - through contrats - by the gloomy Spanish severity of Juan Gris.These are the pioneers from whom the most important trends in modern painting may be said to have developed. Key Sales Information - This book presents a unique collection of art works. Painting from Pierre Alechinsky, Karel Appel, Pierre Bonnard, Jean Dubuffet, Max Ernst, Maurice Estève, Sam Francis, Juan Gris, Hans Hartung, Paul Klee, Yves Klein, Wilfredo Lam, Fernand Léger, Alberto Magnelli, Henri Matisse, Roberto Matta, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Pierre Soulages, Antonio Tàpies, Jacques Villon, among the others. Author Karin Hellandsjø is the Director of the Henie Onstad Art Center.