Untitled (Mural for Peace)
Untitled (Mural for Peace) was painted by Norwegian artist Per Krohg (1889 – 1965). He was born in Oslo, Norway and was the son of well-known painter Christian Krohg. The painting has sections showing symbols of human struggle.
The bottom center has a phoenix rising from a world covered in ashes, symbolizing the world rebuilding itself after war. The upper center section shows a man and a woman both kneeling and holding flowers with children. The surrounding panels show people happy, singing and dancing while the lower section is dark and somber, showing a dungeon, dragon lairs, soldiers, and war machines. The people are struggling to free themselves from the bonds and chains. The symbol of rising from the dark ashes to the light happiness is inspired by the humankind’s efforts to achieve peace, equality, and freedom.
Artist Per Krohg valued family happiness and unity and is featured at the paintings’ center. He said, “the essence of the idea is to give an impression of light, security and joy. The world we see in the foreground is collapsing, while the new world based on clarity and harmony can be built up.”
The mural was presented to the United Nations by the Prime Minister of Norway Oscar Torp on behalf of the country of Norway on 22 September 1952 at an informal meeting of the Security Council.