Fjord landscapes from Western Norway defined the career of Anders Askevold, a painter whose work captured the romantic national expression characteristic of his era. Spanning a life from 1834 until 1900, his artistic journey took him from the shores of his native Sunnfjord to the established creative circles of Europe, leaving behind a body of work that continues to circulate internationally.
Early Development and Training
Born in Askvoll Municipality in 1834, Askevold began his formal education at the age of thirteen in Bergen. He studied under landscape painter Hans Leganger Reuch. His path eventually led to the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in 1856, where he refined his technical skills. From 1855 to 1859, he trained under Hans Gude, cementing his association with the Düsseldorf school of painting alongside peers such as Adelsteen Normann.
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Askevold maintained a nomadic professional life, balancing his time between major European cultural centers and his homeland. He resided in Paris from 1861 to 1866 and spent time working in Munich. While he is primarily identified with landscape painting, he also fulfilled specific religious commissions, including the production of altarpieces, most notably for the Askvoll Church in 1859.
Exhibitions and International Recognition
His paintings reached a global audience through presence at world exhibitions throughout the late nineteenth century. These venues included London in 1862 and 1884, Paris in 1867 and 1878, Vienna in 1873, and Philadelphia in 1876. His contributions were marked by the receipt of medals in Vienna, Philadelphia, and London, where he secured a gold medal.
Legacy and Institutional Preservation
Following his death in Düsseldorf in 1900, Askevold’s influence persisted through institutional holdings and public monuments. The municipality of Askvoll erected a commemorative monument to him in 1934. Today, his work is held in the collections of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo and the Bergen Billedgalleri. Commercial interest remains, as evidenced by a painting sale exceeding £5,000 in 2009.
Fast facts
- Born: 1834, Askvoll Municipality, Norway
- Died: 1900, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Primary subject: Fjord landscapes
- Notable training: Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, 1856
- Mentorship: Trained under Hans Gude, 1855–1859
- Notable commission: Askvoll Church altarpiece, 1859
- 1884 award: Gold medal, London
- Commemoration: Monument erected in Askvoll, 1934
Questions readers ask
Where can the art of Anders Askevold be viewed today?
Notable collections of his work are held by the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo and the Bergen Billedgalleri.
What stylistic category is associated with his paintings?
His work is characterized by romantic national expression, specifically his fjord landscapes.
