Theodor Kittelsen
Introduction
► Theodor Severin Kittelsen (1857-1914) was a Norwegian artist and
illustrator. He is now one of the most respected and popular artists in
Norway. Kittelsen became famous for his nature paintings,
especially his illustrations of fairy tales, legends and Norse myths
that often depicted trolls. He is one of the finest interpreters of
nature. From realistic descriptions of nature to pure fantasy was only
a step with Kittelsen and the forest scene around him provided rich
inspirations.
Early Life
►
Kittelsen was born in the coastal town Kragero in Southern Norway. When he
was 11, his father died, leaving his family in straightened circumstances. Kittelson
was compelled to eke out a living as an errand-boy, an apprentice house painter in
Christania (now Oslo) and an apprentice watchmaker in Arendel. It was then
that his talent was discovered and he was promised free lessons by the architect
Wilhelm von Hanno at the School of Arts in Christania. After two years he
was granted financial support to continue his studies in Munich. In 1879, he was
informed that he could no longer be supported financially. From now on he had to
pay his way by drawing for German newspapers and magazines and by painting
canvases that could be sold back in Norway by the Art Society.
Influences
► In 1887, Kittelson returned to Norway for good. He longed for his
native countryside. It was here that he found his greatest inspiration;
nature. Kittelsen sought the mysterious, romantic and magnificent
aspects of nature that only Nordland could provide. His encounter
with the scenery of north Norway is represented by the collection
“Troll Magic”. His drawing of the sea troll was one of the first to
have been inspired by the scenery of Nordland. Everything in nature:
stones, tufts of grass, moss and pine branches, tree trunks, stumps and
roots all acquired in his imagination human or troll-like features. He
was fascinated by and placed emphasis on horror and awe as well as
juxtaposing nature as untameable yet picturesque.
Svartedauen: The Black Death
►
In 1896 Kittelsen completed the illustrative work, The Black Death, his highest
peak of achievement as a black and white artist. With vision and empathy he
depicted this tragic chapter in our history. When he returned from Lofoten in 1889
he had the idea of utilizing subjects from Norwegian history most notably Nordic
mythology and sagas. But then he happened upon the woman who was to become
Pesta. Pesta provides the natural germ to the Black Death, which resulted in him
creating his own text, often poems or a little tale such as the one about “Wee Per
and little Mari,” who lost their mother and father and whom the trolls take pity
and care for. The absolute highlight for me is the magnificent Pesta on the stairs,
where the light effect and the strange, dizzy perspective greatly intensify the
sense of horror.
Svartedauen
Fattigmannen (1894-95): The
Pauper
Even the crows seem to fear what lies at
the end of the road.
Svartedauen
Pesta i trappen (1896): The Plague
on the Stairs.
One of my favourites!
Svartedauen
Pesta Kommer (1894-95):
Plague’s Coming.
The Raven as an omen of
death.
Svartedauen
Mustad (1896)
Last Years
► Kittelsen was a sick and broken man when, in 1910, he was forced to
leave Lauvlia. He settled in Huseby , just outside Oslo. In the
company of friends he recovered his spirits somewhat and was still
creative. As late as 1913, only a few months before he died, he painted
his daughter Ingrid picking bog cotton. He died penniless January
21, 1914. His old friend Christian Skredsvig left a fitting tribute:
“ Kittelsen left a void behind. He was unique- there will never be anyone
to succeed him. Even the trolls have disappeared for always. At any
rate, I have never seen them since”.
Illustrations
Soria Moria (1881) from Norske Folkeeventyr- Norse
Folktales
Nokken 1887-92: The Water Spirit
Ekko (1888) Echo
Kittelsen was tremendously
productive as a landscape
artist during the years he lived
in Lauvlia.
Alfen det forsvant: The Fairy that Disappeared
Kornstaur I maneskinn (1900) Stooks of Corn in Moonlight. The best
example of the vague line that separates realism from fantasy.
Hakkespett (1912) The
Woodpecker
Trollet som
grunner pa hvor
gammelt det er
(1911): Troll
Wonders How
Old he is.
Skogtroll (1906): Forest
Troll
Det rustler og tusler rasler of tasler (1900): Creepy, Crawly,
Rustling, Bustling.
Op under fjeldet toner en lur (1900): Up in the hills the
clarion call rings out
Nokken som hvit hest (1909) The Nix as a brook horse
Draugen: The Sea Ghost
Heksen: The
Witch
Sjoormen: The Sea Serpent
Vastroldet som levede af bare
jomfrukjod: The Reed Troll who
ate only maiden meat.
Guldhornet: The Golden Horn
Kvitebjorn- Kong
Valemon (1912) The
Polar Bear King
De hadde i nattens stillhet lurt ham vekk: They had led him
away in the stillness of the night.