From Nationalism to Cosmopolitan Classicism: Harry Fett's Concept of Cultural Capital

Abstract

Art historian Harry Fett (1875-1962) was one of the most prolific figures in the Norwegian public scene during the first part of the twentieth century. Trained as a medievalist at German universities and influenced by Alois Riegl and Georg Dehio, Fett became national antiquarian in Norway in 1913, a position he occupied until 1946. He laid the foundations for the academic discipline of art history in Norway, as well as for the professional safeguarding of heritage, where his contribution can hardly be overstated—though he was also a controversial figure with many opponents throughout his long career. In the public sphere, through his numerous books and articles, Fett voiced a conservative and critical position often in conflict with the dominant emerging ideology of social democracy. This article aims to shed light on Harry Fett's theoretical approach to historic preservation and his ideological conflicts with his contemporary antagonists. The concepts age value and cultural capital—the latter coined by Fett himself, antedating Bourdieu's version by half a century—are central to the discussion.