Erik Werenskiold

Erik Werenskiold (1855–1938) was a Norwegian painter and illustrator renowned for his realist style and role in shaping national romanticism. He gained lasting fame for his masterful illustrations of Norske Folkeeventyr (Norwegian Folk Tales) and his portraits of cultural icons like Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. His art often captured rural Norwegian life and landscapes with striking authenticity, blending detailed observation with a deep cultural pride. Born in Eidskog and trained in Munich and Paris, Werenskiold married fellow painter Sophie Marie Stoltenberg Thomesen in 1882, and they became prominent figures in Norway’s art scene.