Former Speakers honored with portraits at Alþingi in Reykjavík

Former Speakers of the Icelandic Parliament, Alþingi, are still represented in the building despite having long departed from office. Among the notable portraits are depictions of Gísli Sveinsson and Valtýr Guðmundsson, painted by renowned artists Gunnlaugur Blöndal and Kristín Jónsdóttir, respectively. The parliamentary house is adorned with numerous artworks, including famous pieces depicting historical events like the National Assembly of 1851.

A recently unveiled painting by Stephen Lárus Stephen features Einar K. Guðfinnsson, who served as Speaker from 2013 to 2016. This marks a significant delay of eight years since his departure. Notably, other recent speakers, including Steingrímur J. Sigfússon and Unnur Brá Konráðsdóttir, still await their portraits, which cost approximately two million Icelandic krónur each.

Since 1991, it has been customary for Alþingi to commission portraits of its speakers, adding to a growing collection that began in the mid-19th century. Ragna Árnadóttir, the office manager of Alþingi, highlighted that the collection has about thirty portraits on display, with many others stored away.

The tradition of portraiture offers a unique connection between the artist and the subject, allowing the personality of the leaders to shine through. Dagný Heiðdal, an art curator, remarked on the distinct styles between older and contemporary portraits, noting that while older works focus more directly on the subjects, modern paintings often provide a broader context.

Although male portraits dominate the collection, there has been a shift in recent decades to include female speakers, with Salóme Þorkelsdóttir being one of the first women to have her portrait commissioned. Overall, the presence of these artworks provides a glimpse into Iceland’s political heritage, capturing both the individuals and the eras they represent.