ABSTRACT
The background for Nordic animation is enlightened in this opening chapter by studying the characteristics of modern art movements in Nordic countries. Internationally the most famous Nordic artist is Norwegian Edvard Munch, but rather than his dark tones, Swedish Carl Larsson’s countryside idyll is reflected as an influence, though sarcastically, for Moomin comic strips, later adopted as popular animations. Some art historians see Moominvalley as one of the surrealist fantasies, specially the Swedish and Danish art scenes with political consequences. Tove Jansson drew political cartoons in her early career, and political cartoonists, however, were the first to pioneer a new film format animation. Although, in the beginning, animated shorts were commissioned by film theater owners in capital cities such as Stockholm and Copenhagen, new cinema needed funny content before Disney productions began its export.
