Erik Nitsche (Swiss, 1908 - 1998) "Cubus Houses in Norway" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Norway Europa 1987 Modern Art - Architecture stamp issued April 3, 1987. Abundant forests have made wood one of the most popular building materials in Norway. For centuries, the majority of Norwegian public buildings were constructed of wood rather than stone. Wooden structures have also traditionally dominated private housing construction in Norway -- and still do today. Thus, when Norwegian architects Odd Lovset and Nils Roar Ovsthus designed the Cubus Houses in Bergen, wood was the natural building material of choice. Like much of Norway's modern architecture, the Cubus Houses reflect the blending of modern architectural regimes such as Rationalism, Functionalism and Expressionism with traditional materials and high standards of craftsmanship and detail. It is easy to see the subtle mingling of traditional and modern architectural thought in the structures. The angular design of the buildings with their airy patios and balconies is balanced by the conformity of the traditional wooden construction materials. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B10929)