Theodor Kittelsen (1857 - 1914) Norwegian Ceramicist and Book Illustrator

Education

Between 1884 – 1887 he studied painting in Munich.

Biography

In the early 1900s, he was a designer for Porsgrunds Porselaensfabrik, Porsgrunn. In 1882 Kittelsen was granted a state scholarship to study in Paris. In 1887 he returned to Norway for good. When back in Norway, he found nature to be a great inspiration. He spent the next two years in Lofoten, living with his sister and brother-in-law at Skomvær Lighthouse. Kittelsen also started to write texts to his drawings there.

Theodor Kittelsen and his family settled in a home and artist studio he called Lauvlia near Prestfoss in 1899. Kittelsen spent his best artistic years here. During this period, Kittelsen was hired to illustrate Norwegian Folktales (Norwegian: Norske Folkeeventyr) by the Norwegian folklore collector Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. In 1908 he was made Knight of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. However, he was forced to sell and leave Lauvlia in 1910 due to failing health. He was granted an artist’s stipend in 1911 but died in Jeløya in 1914. After his death, his widow Inga Kittelsen was granted an annual salary from the Storting.

Cultural References

Black and folk metal bands such as Burzum, Empyrium, Otyg and Satyricon have used some of his pictures as album art, notably illustrations taken from Kittelsen’s book Svartedauen (The Black Death). Musician Phil Elverum named the tenth song on his 2017 album A Crow Looked at Me after Kittelesen’s painting “Soria Moria” specifically illustrating his grief. Kittelsen’s 160th birthday was celebrated with a Google doodle on 27 April 2017, giving him some exposure outside Norway.

Kittelsen artworks

Artworks – Wikiart | Google Arts and Culture

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, September 17). Theodor Kittelsen. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:34, December 7, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theodor_Kittelsen&oldid=1044935898

The Ceramic Design Book: A Gallery of Contemporary Work. (2000). United States: Lark. https://amzn.to/3KwQLEG

Complete Pottery Techniques: Design, Form, Throw, Decorate and More, with Workshops from Professional Makers. (2019). United States: DK Publishing. https://amzn.to/4cCQ08s

Coutts, H. (2001). The art of ceramics: European ceramic design 1500-1830. United Kingdom: Yale University Press. https://amzn.to/3zlhEZj

Higgins, R., & Robinson, C. S. (2010). William De Morgan : arts and crafts potter. Shire https://amzn.to/3Wep8GR

Lane, P. (1998). Ceramic Form: Design & Decoration. Kiribati: A. & C. Black. https://amzn.to/3xCniWE

Leigh Ford, K. (2021). Pottery for Beginners: Projects for Beautiful Ceramic Bowls, Mugs, Vases and More. United Kingdom: Page Street Publishing. https://amzn.to/4cKva79

Morris, T. (2018). New Wave Clay: Ceramic Design, Art and Architecture. Netherlands: Frame Publishers. https://amzn.to/4eDF4JP

Richerson, D. W. (2012). The Magic of Ceramics. Wiley. https://amzn.to/3L2atIi

Schwartzkopf, D. (2020). Creative Pottery: Innovative Techniques and Experimental Designs in Thrown and Handbuilt Ceramics. United States: Quarry Books. https://amzn.to/3xEvBB9

Treggiden, K. (2021). Urban Potters: Makers in the City. Belgium: Thames & Hudson. https://amzn.to/4czsOby

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