Art in the Concert Hall Issay Dobrowen

The bronze bust from 1930 portrays Issay Dobrowen (1894-1953), chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra 1941-1953. The artist is Øyvind Scott Hansen (1907-1993) and the work is in the Great Hall’s foyer.

Øyvind Scott Hansen (1907-1993)

The bust is signed “Øyvind Scott-Hansen 1930”. Is this the same person as the Norwegian diplomat with the same name who would later make a career with managerial positions at consulates and embassies in New York, Washington, Liverpool and Minneapolis? Further research confirms the assumption. Øyvind Scott-Hansen’s bronze portrait is a spontaneous and inspired work, a momentary study with sensitivity to the essentials – we see the man behind the features. Øyvind Scott-Hansen does not seem to have devoted himself to art during his long career in international diplomacy. Diplomacy won one talent, art lost another. After three years as ambassador to Singapore, he retired in 1975 and settled in White Plains, north of New York, where he died in 1993.

34 x 21 x 16 cm (hxdxb)