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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
Ekko (1888) Echo Kittelsen was tremendously productive as a landscape artist during the years he lived in Lauvlia.
Kornstaur I maneskinn (1900) Stooks of Corn in Moonlight.The best example of the vague line that separates realism from fantasy.
Trollet som grunner pa hvor gammelt det er (1911): Troll Wonders How Old he is.
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
Vastroldet som levede af bare jomfrukjod: The Reed Troll who ate only maiden meat.
De hadde i nattens stillhet lurt ham vekk: They had led him away in the stillness of the night.
