Theodor Kittelsen Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Theodor Kittelsen
Theodor Kittelsen (1892)
Born	(1857-04-27)27 April 1857 Kragerø, Telemark, Norway
Died	September 21, 1914(1914-09-21) (aged 57) Jeløya, Østfold, Norway
Nationality	Norwegian
Occupation	artist, illustrator
Awards	Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav

Self-portrait (1891)

Soria Moria
from Norske Folkeeventyr

Theodor Severin Kittelsen (born April 27, 1857 – died January 21, 1914) was a famous Norwegian artist. He is known as one of Norway's most loved artists. Kittelsen became very popular for his beautiful nature paintings. He also created amazing illustrations for fairy tales and legends. He was especially good at drawing trolls!

Early Life and Talent
Artistic Journey
Art Style
Museums Dedicated to Kittelsen
Paintings and Drawings
- Illustrations for Svartedauen (Black Death)
Books Illustrated by Theodor Kittelsen
See also

Early Life and Talent

Theodor Kittelsen was born in a small coastal town called Kragerø in Norway. His father passed away when Theodor was young. This left his mother and eight children in a very tough situation. Theodor was only 11 years old when he started working for a watchmaker.

When he was 17, a man named Diderich Maria Aall saw how talented Theodor was. Aall helped him become a student at Wilhelm von Hanno's drawing school in Christiania (which is now Oslo). Thanks to Aall's help, Theodor later studied art in Munich, Germany. But in 1879, Aall could no longer support him. So, Kittelsen had to work as a draftsman for German newspapers and magazines to earn money.

Artistic Journey

In 1882, Kittelsen received a special scholarship from the government. This allowed him to study art in Paris, France. In 1887, he moved back to Norway for good. When he returned, he found that nature was a huge source of ideas for his art. He spent the next two years in Lofoten, living near the Skomvær Lighthouse. It was there that Kittelsen also started writing stories to go with his drawings.

In 1899, Theodor Kittelsen and his family moved into a home and art studio. He called this special place Lauvlia, near Prestfoss. Kittelsen created some of his best art during the years he lived here. Around this time, he was asked to draw pictures for a famous book. This book was called Norske Folkeeventyr (Norwegian Folktales). It was a collection of stories gathered by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe.

In 1908, Kittelsen received a high honor. He was made a Knight of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. Sadly, his health started to get worse. He had to sell Lauvlia and move away in 1910. He received a special artist's payment in 1911. Theodor Kittelsen passed away in Jeløya in 1914.

Art Style

Kittelsen's art style mixed different ideas. It had parts of Neo-Romantic art and also naïve painting. Neo-Romantic art often shows strong feelings and beautiful nature. Naïve art looks simple and natural, like a child's drawing, but it's done by an adult artist.

In Norway, Kittelsen is a very respected and well-known artist. However, he is not as famous in other countries. This is why his name is sometimes not included in lists of internationally recognized painters.

Museums Dedicated to Kittelsen

There are special places where you can see Theodor Kittelsen's amazing art.

Lauvlia Museum

Lauvlia was Theodor Kittelsen's home from 1899 to 1910. It is located in Sigdal, north of Prestfoss. The museum has a beautiful view of Lake Soneren. The mountains and nature around this area inspired many of Kittelsen's famous landscape paintings. Today, Lauvlia is a private museum. It shows off Kittelsen’s original artwork. The house is decorated with his own wood carvings and wall paintings. Every year, a new collection of his original works is shown. They also have fun painting and drawing activities for children.

Theodor Kittelsen Museum at Blaafarveværket

This museum is located at the Skuterudhøyden ridge, near the Cobalt Mines. Here, you can see Kittelsen’s artistic ideas about nature. He painted forests, mountains, and trolls. His works are shown as carved furniture, oil paintings, watercolors, and drawings. New exhibitions are put on display each year. In 2014, Blaafarveværket hosted the biggest exhibition of his work in modern times.

Kragerø House Museum

The house where Theodor Kittelsen grew up in Kragerø is also a museum. It celebrates his life and his art.

Paintings and Drawings

Nøkken, 1887–92 (The Nix)
Ekko (Echo), 1888
Huldra forsvant (The Hulder That Disappeared)
Hakkespett, 1912 (Woodpecker)
Kornstaur i måneskinn, c. 1900 (Stooks of Grain in Moonlight)
Trollet som grunner på hvor gammelt det er, 1911 (The troll who wonders how old he is)
Det rusler og tusler rasler og tasler, 1900 (Creepy, Crawly, Rustling, Bustling)
Skogtroll, 1906 (Forest Troll)
En uheldig bjørnejakt (An Unfortunate Bear Hunt)
Kvitebjorn Kong Valemon, 1912 (White-Bear-King-Valemon)
Op under Fjeldet toner en Lur, 1900 (Up in the Hills a Clarion Call rings out)
Nøkken som hvit hest, 1909 (The Nix as a white horse)
Juletroll, 1907 (Christmas Troll)
12 villender, 1897 (The 12 wild ducks)
Streik, 1879 (Strike action)
Gutt på hvit hest (Boy on white horse)