The artwork titled “Contra Natura,” created by Odd Nerdrum in 1990, belongs to the Neo-baroque and Kitsch art movements and resides within the genre of symbolic painting.
The artwork depicts a dramatic and surreal scene crafted with meticulous attention to detail and rich symbolism. Central to the composition is a monumental, muscular figure emerging from a large rock formation. The figure, with an intense expression and adorned with a helmet, extends a powerful arm wielding a dagger. On the other side of the scene, a solitary figure in a small boat holds up a torch, illuminating part of the dimly lit expanse of water. This juxtaposition of figures against a landscape that blends the natural and surreal evokes a sense of tension and narrative depth. The use of light and shadow, alongside the highly stylized figures, is reminiscent of the Baroque tradition, while the ambiguous and thought-provoking nature of the imagery aligns with the Kitsch movement’s embracement of emotional and visceral impact.
