In 1898, Krohn joined the students to the famous theater artist William Scarce. After that, he worked under the guidance of other masters, and parallel to attend the evening department of the Royal School of Drawing, which he successfully Law in 1902.

In 1905, the Crown goes to Finland and took lessons from a famous Finnish painter Albert Gebhard, who was well acquainted with Russian art. At that time Finland was part of Russia's empire and the Russian and Finnish artists often exhibited together. In addition, many Finnish artists trained in the St Petersburg Academy of St. art. While a wave of international modernism, just spread to Finland and had their influence on creativity Krona.

Due to lack of money Kron was hard to just up and go to study in St. Petersburg and he, as he said himself, hired a mason to a Finnish company which received the statement of work for shvedskoi Church in St. Petersburg. December 19, 1905 Krohn got the position of auditor in the St Petersburg Academy of Saint-Arts, where one of the professors was Ilya Repin, whose shops were open to all comers. However, the 1905 revolution the fabric of the academy, which often were strikes and protests, and eventually the reins of power passed to the students.

In 1906, the Crown was forced to leave the academy makes it possible for a revolutionary situation and decided to go to Munich. General geography travel Crohn's highly unusual for Norwegians at the time. Majority of Norwegian art students traveled to Paris or Copenhagen.

In Munich, at that time was active Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky - the founder of the German Expressionist Blue Rider movement and Crown for some time moved in circles ety.

In January 1906, Crown began studying at the studio of the Hungarian artist Simon Hollosy who boldly questioned the right of the academic school of painting and paved the way for a new style based on the French school. Hollosy noted Crohn's talent. However, Krohn was more interested in decorative painting, and, having failed to establish the necessary contacts in etoi area, left Munich in autumn 1906.

PARIS 1906-1907. From artist to artist painter designer

Finally Kron managed to get a government scholarship and was able to go to Paris and plunge into his rich world of art. There he became acquainted with the works of the brightest representatives of Russian avant-garde Natalia Goncharova, Mikhail Larionov, Sergei Sudeikina and Wassily Kandinsky.

In 1907, Krohn married with Russian Swedish origin Julia Holmberg from Kursk. Julia was from a wealthy family, was interested in art and was familiar with Russian artists in Paris, which has considerably helped to strengthen ties among the Russian crown avantgarda.

In 1907 the Crown began training at the academy Vitti in Paris and the next year received a scholarship to the Academy La Palette, where it was easy to get under the influence of the school Paul Hagen. At the same time, Henri Matisse began teaching in his own academy, which is visited by many Norwegian artists with whom he was acquainted Kron. Matisse was a bright representative of the avant-garde of the time and leader of the movement Favistov.

Living in Paris was a decisive step in the career of Crohn's where he finally decided to become a painter.

RUSSIA 1908-1917

After graduation in Paris, Kron and his wife had gone to Kiev. There Krohn met with the best of Russian art, in particular during the exhibition "Link" in 1908. They exhibited radical young artists among whom were Alexander Bogomazov and a pair of Larionov and Goncharova. They demonstrated a protest against the dominance of traditional realist art then in Kiev. The work drew inspiration from the Post-Impressionists such as Cezanne and motives of western Europe, which contrasted with the traditional Russian realistic landscape.

1909. World Art and Beauty Izdebsky

In 1909, the Crown is exhibited in two shows in Odessa, World of Art and Beauty Izdebsky. For World of Art movement were people with common interests in literature, art, history - such as Sergei Diagel, Alexander Benois and other Russian and foreign, conservative and progressive artists. "New Art" Crohn's, it was noted positively by other artists such as Ivan Bilibin, Boris Kustodeev and Nicholas Roerich. Exhibition held Izdebsky painter and sculptor Vladimir Izdebski, where he formulated the goal of art as a departure from tradition and deepening of the secrets of lines and colors. Works Crohn been highly noted and he has participated in the following exhibition "Salon 2". All this certainly shows the talent of Crohn's, although at that time it still could not be called a fully-fledged artist.

1911. First personal exhibition in Kristiania (Blomqvist, Oslo)

It was a young and interesting artists around 27 years, which is exhibited in the salon Blomqvist in Christiania in 1911. His special position due to the fact that it was a Norwegian with a clear bias toward Russian art. Krohn put entire 89 works from its vast repertoire: Paris, Russia, Ukraine, Norway. Nevertheless, it was the Russian motives, which was roiled by visitors and critics: The Church in Kiev, the Dnieper, the Mikhailovsky Castle, St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev and others Press added a fresh flavor to these works.

1912. First personal exhibition in Kiev

January 4, 1912 held the first exhibition of Crohn's in Kiev. The author was named in the local press, "a child of his age" and it was noted that, although not always his own manner of transmit real feelings, love of art and undoubted talent.

1912. The first exhibition with the Knave of Diamonds

Progressive elites Knave of Diamonds was founded by the legendary Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova was a group of artists with a radical look at the art. Their first exhibition was held in 1910 in Moscow. The event received a response in the press and people, as they say, stretched. Krohn belonged to the so-called western, French wing of the movement. The movement was also owned by such well-known Moscow artists such as Aristarchus Lentulov, Petr Konchalovsky, Robert Falk, Ilya Mashkov. In 1912, 23 January, the exhibition was opened 400mi labor 43h artists in the center of Moscow. Total it was visited by about 8000 people among whom were known to connoisseurs and patrons. Sergei Mamontov - son Savva Mamontov said about the works of Crohn's, that they are very individual and special way to stand out with color. And just what the artist has a technique and taste that I could achieve more success and more serious than the Knave of Diamonds exhibitions.

1912. Yekaterinoslav Scientific Society

After 3 months after the Knave of Diamonds exhibition from one of the works was exhibited in Crohn Yekaterynoslav (Dnepropetrovsk) at the exhibition organized Ekaterinoslavka scientific community. Krohn presented a picture of the Midnight Sun. Art historian Alexei Morgunov (1884-1935) noted that work together with other 18yu artists, among whom were Nicholas Roerich, Victor Vasnetsov, and Konstantin Korovin. Kron and Vasiliev, MI were the youngest participants of the exhibition and in fact the only ones who had the attitude to avantgardu. Other artists belonged to the older generation and many of them are composed in a society in which Wanderers are now regarded as conservatives. They are outstanding representatives were Alex Stepanovich Stepanov (1858-1923), Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (1848-1926) and Valentin Serov (1865-1911).

1913. The second exhibition at Blomqvist (Norway)

Spring 1913th Kron traveled to Norway that would show a large collection of his new works. At this time the press was more cool to the artist. Critique not like some simplified paintings and large format. It was noted that changes in the artist's aim is not for the better and work peculiar style poster.

1914. Exhibition with the group ring

The exhibition was held at the Polytechnic Institute in Kiev. Krohn exhibited 6 paintings: Study, reading books, Sun Alley, Still Life and Street. One of the founders of the group ring of Alexander Bogomazov like Vladimir Izdebsky like that would show was a protest against the academic and encouraged the search for a new. Bogomazov noted 4 elements of this search: line, color, shape and surface. In the exhibition included 20 artists with works in the style 306mi Cubism and Futurism schitavshimisa true Russian style.

1915-1916. Krohn and Sergei Ivanovich Shchukin

In 1915, Krohn moved to Moscow. Despite the war, painting flourished. Kron lived in central Moscow on Smolensky Boulevard and worked in his studio which was located on Big Levshinsky. In December /January 1915/1916go Krohn worked on portraits izvestnoko Russian collector Sergei Ivanovich Shchukin (1854-1936). Ambitious portretizm two large canvases is epogeem Crohn's artistic career. These portraits are without doubt the best-known works of the artist during his life in Russia. Portraits Shchukin expecting the same fate as the other works of Russian avantgarda after the events 1917go. Like all formalist art, decorative style was convicted of Crohn's new government. While punching in strength of the socialist realism as the basic philosophy isskusstva ruling class.

1916. Exhibition partnership with the Moscow artists

February 12, 1916 an exhibition of the Moscow Association of Artists. The artist and critic Alexander Benois had this to say about this show: I would first observed portrait of Sachs, the two outline Simonivicha and Epifanovoj, several beautiful watercolors of India Sheremetyevo, two sketch Fedorova, decorative compositions Nikitskogo, beautiful vivid landscapes Ogranovicha as well as the work of K. Kroner .

1916. Exhibition at Bergen and Christiania (Oslo)

At this time Kron managed to win over the critics in his homeland. Critics noted the influence of the new French school and the fact that his work gained strength and character. Another reason was the fact that in 1916 the audience had already seen the work of Russian and European style avantgardistov Crohn they are no longer shocked by its newness.

1916. The second exhibition with the Knave of Diamonds

Kron returned to Moscow in 1916-th and participated in the annual exhibition of the Jack of Diamonds, where the Crown presented the entire 21u work. There were several of the Norwegian artist's works: A street in Bergen, Lufutenskie Island, Winter in Norway. Also there were several other works: Katus, Golden Fish, actress Rotkovskaya, Lady in Red, in reading, Frolovskiy Monastery, Portrait of Lord B., Pallas, Girl in the Green, Poet. Works Crohn appear in the Michael Salon at Bolshoi Dmitrovka 11, in downtown Moscow. In total, the exhibition was attended by 30 artists from the 441y work. At this time the Crown was the only foreigner on a purely Russian exhibition. One of the participants was Kazimir Malevich to 59yu works in the style of Suprematism. Another participant was Marc Chagall with 50yu works. Of the old friends in Kiev range Crohn Alexandra Exter were available 20 sketches of costumes for the drama of Alexander Tairov "Famira Kifared. Critic Tepin of Apollo magazine called the work of Marc Chagall and the most interesting is that they are "new world of dreams." Beside them work K. Kroner, A. and A. Lentulova Ekster seem superficial and exaggerated. Of these, however, stands out work Crohn poetess and Girl in Green. Other sources of good critics awarded mainly of Chagall, Kuprin Altman and Crohn's. Criticism of етото time to complain is not very creative Lentulova and Falk.


1917. Krohn and Youth Union

Kron was a member of the Youth Union, one of the most progressive movements in the world Piterskoye avantgarda. Krohn was present at the meeting of 12th of April 1917go. Here he was in the center of the most elite of the radical wing of the Union: Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Tatlin, Lev Bruni, Robert Falk, Liubov Popova, Alexander Ekster and Alexander Kuprin. They were colleagues of the Crohn's Knave of Diamonds, with forty-year-Krohn, Tatlin and Malevich were considered veterans. Union played an important role in the art world, Peter. In addition to exhibitions, they were engaged in auctions, concerts, debates and meetings of artists. The Union also produced a magazine promoting the spread avantgardnoy aesthetics in Russia. Membership in the union Crohn's interesting from that of the view that it not only displayed his work in St. Petersburg, but also actively participated in the debate about the development of art.

1917. Exhibition in Christiania (Oslo)

Development of Crohn's creativity was noted in the press when he was in October 1917go demonstrated his new works at auction Blomqvist in Christiania. Criticism has been mostly positive but not all at once become accustomed to the characteristic of the artist's large contours and "Russian" style of lines, some of which seemed too heavy and rough. In general, the critics were agreed that the development of the artist is in a positive direction.

1917. The third exhibition with the Knave of Diamonds

Despite the revolutionary unrest in the streets of Moscow, the 9th of November, the last Knave of Diamonds exhibition at Michael's Salon at the Grand Dmitrovka. European artists did not participate in the exhibition because of the revolution. Krohn exhibited slightly apart because of its Norwegian origin. He put 4 in: Still Life, sunflower, boats on the Dnieper and Etudes. Besides, there were 16 other Russian artists, but the Knave of Diamonds was not the same. Many members left the society at that time. Colorist Konchalovsky, Lentulov, Falk, Mashkov and Milman now joined the rival group World of Art. The exhibition was met with criticism very cool. Only Crohn colleagues from the Kiev avantgarda David Burliuk and Alexandra Exter received positive feedback.

1917. Recent work in Russia

Among recent works in Crohn's Russia should mention his portraits Oleksandr Berdineva, Valentina Rostin and Vladimir Tatlin.

It is interesting to observe that these portraits reflect the blossoming of experimentalism in revolutionary Moscow. It is quite natural, given the communication with Crohn avantgarda figures as Malevich and Tatlin. That they managed to achieve such originality that allowed to talk about only the Russian style of painting. Tatlin at that time with Yakulov and Rodchenko engaged in finishing Cafe Pittoresk "- an important place for the collection of Moscow avantgardistov.

Portrait Oleksandr (Ukraine at that time was taken to write the name with "O") Berdineeva depicts a strong man with expressive features. In the portrait is completely different energy than the portraits Shchukin. In this paper, many features borrowed from the Russian avantgarda obviously not from the French school. Motives of Matisse's early portraits are giving way to elements of constructivism Tatlin and Rodchenko. Course Krohn did not attempt to directly copy Malevich or Tatlin's never moved away from figurative art, and kept his own style. The same trend Krohn retained to work on a portrait of the singer Valentina Rostin (1886-1944) where you can see the abstracted background with geometric shapes and lines.

Undated portrait multitalanta and colleagues of Vladimir Tatlin may be evidence of the close connection between artists. In a simplified manner Krohn accurately portrayed the features of his friend radikalista. Here Kron also avoid heavy kolloristiki Matisse and there are parallels with the portraits and Shchukin and Berdineva. Can assume that the portrait was painted 1915 and 1917.

Among recent works Crohn's were just as decorations for various theaters, mostly in Moscow. Interest in the theater was the phenomenon of the Russian revolution and dramatic scenery have been an area where the Russian avant-garde left an imprint.

1918. Back in Norway

The radical turn of life after the Revolution forced the Crown to leave Russia and return to his native Norway, but otnyut not empty-handed. Newspaper Sandefyur Blood wrote "He came as a refreshing bad weather, as well as Munch at the time, unique and independent from the rest of his countrymen.

Krohn immediately won attention at home largely thanks to the fresh impetus which he brought with him from Russia. Kron has used every opportunity that would not only show and tell about his vision of art. Even winter 1918go he visited many small towns of Norway, along with Kristanna, Bergen, Stavanger and Haugesund, and practically everywhere it soprovozhdalala excellent critic.

Kron died in Oslo in 1959. But after him in his family were talented artists - son Oleg Krohn and his wife Julia de Holmberg Krohn.