Odd Nerdrum, 'Self Portrait'. Photograph by deflam, on Flickr.
Yesterday I discovered the paintings of Odd Nerdrum, Norway's best painter, online. And today I understand the court is hearing his appeal against what sounds like a somewhat shoddy case against him, on charges of tax evasion, for which the 67 year old painter was sentenced to two years in jail.
Where he's not allowed to paint.
I'm not going to discuss the rights or wrongs of the case - in the absence of information, I have no opinion on the matter - but guess where my instinctive sympathies lie.
Shame on you, Norway. Just when I was beginning to like you. If you don't like the thought of an ageing genius languishing in jail, go and sign the petition calling for his freedom here.
