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The 1903 painting is considered one of the most important works in Norwegian art history. A price of around NOK 10 million was expected in advance.
On Tuesday night, “Andersnatten” was sold at Blomqvist in Oslo after a round of offers that started at NOK 7 million.
NOK 14 million is a new record for a Norwegian work at auction in Norway.
The previous record was NOK 12.8 million. There was also a Kittelsen painting, “The Golden Horn.”
A great atmosphere
– It is big and beautiful, and it is one of his best paintings. It’s a fantastic atmosphere and beautiful scenery that we can dive into and wonder if there can be elves and trolls behind the trees, says auctioneer Elisabeth Vik Forsberg.
The frame has been trimmed by Kittelsen himself and is also signed on the back.
Andersnatten is a mountain in the municipality of Sigdal in Viken.
Popular artist
Theodor Kittelsen is one of the most popular artists in Norway. He illustrated, among other things, the folk tales written by Asbjørnsen and Moe.
Between 1899 and 1909, Kittelsen Lauvlia lived in Sigdal. The time described as the happiest and most productive in the artist’s life.
From the artist’s house, which today functions as a museum, he had a direct view of Andersnatten.
Kittelsen himself described the mountain experience as follows: “Then Andersnatten elevated his dark and melancholic delicacy above all else. Like a mighty troll, the mountain looked at little Lauvlia. “
Got 1000 crowns for painting
“Andersnatten” was sold a year after Kittelsen painted it in 1903, to Blomqvist in 1904. He then received 1000 crowns for the painting.
It is not known who bought the painting for 14 million crowns, but it was “shovel number 9 in the aisle” that got the contract.
Theodor Kittelsen was born on April 27, 1857 in Kragerø and died on January 21, 1914 at Jeløy in Moss.
