Iceland Central Bank Employees Complain About Nude Paintings

Complaints have been filed about the appropriateness of several classic Icelandic paintings, some of which feature nude subjects, hanging on the walls of the Central Bank. The complaints are reportedly being taken seriously by management, but no decision has been reached yet about whether or not the paintings will be removed.

Fréttablaðið reports that many of these paintings are by famous Icelandic painters, and the works themselves are iconic. These include a painting by Gunnlaug Blöndal, and a number of her works do feature nudes.

Verk nr.27, by Gunnlaug Blöndal

“It is being discussed within the bank where these kinds of paintings by the old masters such as Gunnlaug Blöndal should be best placed,” a secretary for the Central Bank told reporters, declining to comment further on the matter.

Hilmar Einarsson, one of Iceland’s prominent art critics, told reporters that while it is always agreeable to discuss what is and what is not art, this particular case goes too far in his estimation.

“I think this is off the charts, because where does it end?,” Hilmar asked rhetorically. “Where do we draw the line? We’d end up going through the entire history of art if you want to start digging into this.”

These complaints are currently being discussed by management, who have yet to make a final decision on the matter.