The popular artist Theodor Kittelsen has become known for depicting the mysterious Norwegian forest – often using imagination. Now figures from Norwegian auction houses show that more people want him on the wall – and they are willing to pay considerably more than before. One of the reasons may be the artist’s story about Norwegian nature, we are to believe curator at the Kittelsen Museum at Blaafarveværket in Modum, Sverre Følstad. For Theodor Kittelsen (1857–1914), the forest was a prerequisite for imagination, says Følstad. And now it seems that more people want to go out into the forest. Figures from the Grev Wedels plass auction house Auctions show more than a doubling in the number of Kittelsen works sold and an average increase in value of over 380 per cent in the last ten years. In the same period, his motifs have twice set price records for the most expensive works of art sold at Norwegian auction houses. The latest in 2020, with NOK 14 million for the oil painting “Andersnatten”. Finansavisen has also mentioned the increase in value. – This is exceptional. Classical artists are rising slowly and steadily, but Kittelsen is in a special class, and one wonders what is the reason for that, says Hans-Richard Elgheim, general manager of Grev Wedel’s Plass Auksjoner. Tourists want to see Kittelsen But it is not only among collectors that the artist seems to have a particular commitment. Theodor Kittelsen Theodor Kittelsen (1857-1914) was a Norwegian visual artist, caricaturist, illustrator and writer. He is particularly known for his imaginative illustrations for Asbjørnsen and Moe’s folk tales and his evocative motifs of mythical beings and landscapes. Kittelsen was inspired by Norwegian nature and folk culture and created a unique image world that has become part of the Norwegian identity. Source: Store norske lexikon In a room with a large tree, lowered lights and sounds of a deep forest, several of Kittelsen’s motifs can be found at the National Museum in Oslo. The Adventure Room at the National Museum in Oslo. Photo: Hallgeir Aunan / news – I find the interest to be enormous. Only in the short time we’ve been here now, people have flocked in, says art promoter Kachun Lay, who shows Kittelsen around. – There is something unique about the way he has set the mood for Norwegian nature, says Kachun Lay, art curator at the National Museum. Photo: Hallgeir Aunan Lay is not surprised by the figures from Norwegian auction houses. On his tours, he has both children’s classes and adults. But also more tourists. He shows one of Kittelse’s most famous works, the painting Langt lang borte han noe lyse og glitre (1900), as an example. One of Kittelsen’s most famous motifs, where Ashkeladden glimpses Soria Moria’s castle: Far far away he saw something bright and glittering (1900). Photo: BØRRE HØSTLAND/NASJONALMUSEET – At the latest a few minutes ago, someone came from abroad who specifically wanted to see this painting. He had seen it years ago, but he came here to see it again, says Lay. – I like how he depicts nature with imagination, I would like to see more of this type of art, says Marta Montagna. – The landscape he depicts reminds me of joy and adventure, says tourist Simone Ragonesi. – I like that the castle in the picture seems like something he imagines, and that the fog feels very organic, says tourist Alex Isabelle about the Askeladden glimmering towards Soria Moria’s castle. – The atmosphere in the pictures is very transferable, says Helena Kaur. Brings Norwegian black metal to the fore There is probably no clear answer as to why Kittelsen seems to engage more, but connoisseurs of the artist suggest some possible explanations. We can start with the dark one. Several popular black metal albums have covers that consist of Kittelsen’s motifs. The genre is referred to by many as one of Norway’s biggest cultural exports. Many of the albums originate from Burzum, such as Filosofem (1993), the solo project of convicted murderer Varg “The Count” Vikernes. During the black metal exhibition Dårlig Stemning at the National Library this autumn, Kittelsen’s motifs were blown up on the wallpaper in the room. – We wanted to show how Norwegian black metal bands have let be inspired by Norwegian cultural history. In that narrative, Theodor Kittelsen is absolutely central, says exhibition manager Marte-Kine Sandengen. Helge Kaasin is a philosopher and author of the book “Snow and spruce”, where he examines, among other things, the links between the dark music genre and Norwegian cultural heritage. – The mysterious and frightening has always been the black metal thing, and then Kittelsen fits very well. Like here, where Nøkken (1904) meets Thulêan Mysteries (2020) by Burzum. – Nøkken lures people to the edge of the pond, then he grabs hold and drowns them, says Kaasin. – I believes that the popularity of black metal contributes to increasing interest in Kittelsen, says Kaasin. Helge Kaasin is section leader for design and user experience at news. His book is published as a private person. – Uses nature in an inclusive way But there is also a brighter side to Kittelsen. At the Kittelsen Museum, curator Sverre Følstad highlights Kittelsen’s inclusive use of Norwegian nature. He shows us Husmann (1908). – I think we can all identify with a figure who has to fight, but who has a goal. He believes Kittelsen creates a visual world where we feel welcome. As in Boy on a White Horse (between 1890 and 1909). – He has the ability to depict the pond you yourself bathed in as a child. But what about the imaginative creatures in Kittelsen’s art – as here in On the way to the feast in the Trollslottet (1907)?- I think Kittelsen was probably trying to make us aware that the world is bigger than we think. – For Kittelsen, it was being a small person in a large nature where he felt at home. – Do you think people long to return to the forest? – I don’t think so, I know that people long to return, says Følstad. I think he will continue to reach widely Elgheim i Grev Wedel believes in the theory that Kittelsen’s story about Norwegian forests and nature engages. – Although it may be a bit scary for some, there is something attractive and tempting about the forest. – The increase we are seeing is exceptional, says general manager of Grev Wedel’s plass Auksjoner, Hans-Richard Elgheim. But he does not think Kittelsen’s value will continue to increase at the same pace. Photo: Heiko Junge / SCANPIX He believes the value of Kittelsen will continue to rise, but not at the same pace as the auction house has seen in recent years. – But I am convinced that in the future Kittelsen will have the same strong position, and will constantly reach a new audience. Følstad also thinks so. – I believe that Kittelsen’s story about nature will be more and more relevant as time goes on. And that’s because the need for something bigger than everyday life is only going to get even bigger. Hi! Do you have input on this issue or suggestions for other cultural issues we should look at? Feel free to send me an email! Published 17.08.2024, at 23.31
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Strong increase in the value of Kittelsen art – think more people will want to go out into the woods – news Culture and entertainment
