Art has existed in Iceland since the first settlements, but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that Icelandic artists came to an international reputation. Mostly, they had studied in other countries, e.g. in Denmark.

Painters

The most important motifs for painters were the nature of their home country and the human being. But they also used supernatural themes.

Some of the most important painters are:

• Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876 - 1958)
• Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885 - 1972)
• Þórarinn Þorláksson (1867 - 1924)
• Guðmundur Þórsteinsson (1891 - 1924)
• Gunnlaugur Schweving (1904 - 1972)
• Svavar Guðnason (1909 - 1988)
• Nina Tryggvadóttir (1913 - 1968)
• Erró (Guðmundur Guðmundson, born 1932)
• Halldór Ásgeirson (born 1956)
• Kristjan Daviðsson (born 1917)
• Helgi Þórgils Friðjónsson
• Sigurður Árni Sigurðsson (born 1963)
• Georg Gudni (born 1960)
• Jón Óskar (born 1954)

Sculptors

It was not until the 19th century that Icelandic artists began to create sculptures. Until then, there had not been enough usable material. The stones found in Iceland itself were normally rather brittle.

Some of the most famous sculptors are:

• Einar Jonsson | Einar Jónsson (1874 - 1954)
• Rikardur Jonsson (1888 - 1977)
• Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893 -1982)
• Sigurjón Ólafsson (1908 - 1982)
• Gerður Helgadóttir (1928 - 1975)
• Páll Guðmundson (born 1959)

Photographers

• Rafn Sigurbjörnsson (born 1955)

Architects

• Gudjon Samuelsson (1887 - 1950)