Norway's Queen Sonja is to select the artworks that will be displayed on Hurtigruten's groundbreaking new hybrid expedition ship.
The 20,900-gt Roald Amundsen will join the fleet in 2019 and guests will be viewing paintings handpicked by the monarch's art foundation, the Queen Sonja Print Award.
"Exquisite art to enjoy on the journey is part of this experience," the queen said during a launch event on board Hurtigruten’s 11,700-gt Fram (built 2007) in New York.
"The Viking ships were decorated with the most beautiful wooden carvings: dragon heads and flowers, ornaments and animals adorned Leiv Eiriksson’s ship – as he fought his way through the waves towards Newfoundland, where he first set foot," she added.
"Today, a 1000 years later – we continue the tradition – and decorate a proud ship – sailing on our oceans on a much more peaceful mission than back in the early Viking age."
Almost 600 unique works of art by young Norwegian artists, as well as previous award winners and works of art by Queen Sonja herself, will be featured.
Roald Amundsen will be partly powered by batteries. The ship will explore destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic and the Norwegian coast.
There will be multiple prints in all suites and cabins, and public spaces such as restaurants, staircases and corridors.
Up to 20 different artists will be featured. The partnership is also set to select art for the sistership Fridtjof Nansen, due later in 2019.
