Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (15 October 1885 - 13 April 1972) was an Icelandic painter. He is one of the most famous artists of Iceland.
The paintings of Kjarval vary greatly in style. Most of them are rather realistic presentations of the Icelandic landscape whereas others are more influenced by a somewhat mythical style. The subjects of the latter group are elves, trolls and figures from folk tales and sagas. The painter has been much discussed and also criticized because of this strange mixture.
In Reykjavík a museum which is Part od the Reykjavík Art Museum is called Kjarvalsstaðir and presents his works besides other exhibitions.
He is depicted on the Icelandic 2000 króna banknote.
In the 1977 Debut Album Björk by Björk, there's an instrumental Flute-Tribute (Jóhannes Kjarval) written & performed by Björk