Christian Krohg

For politician of the same name, seeChristian Krohg (government minister).

Christian Krohg
Krohg,c. 1903
Born	(1852-08-13)13 August 1852 Vestre Aker,Norway
Died	16 October 1925(1925-10-16)(aged 73) Christiania,Norway
Nationality	Norwegian
Alma mater	University of Christiana
Known for	naturalistpainter
Movement	Naturalism
Spouse	Oda Krohg ​ (m.1888)​
Children	2 (includingPer)

Portrait of Christian Krohg
Oda Krohg (c. 1903)

Self-portrait (1917)

Christian Krohg(13 August 1852 – 16 October 1925) was a Norwegiannaturalistpainter, illustrator, author and journalist. Krohg was inspired by therealism art movementand often chose motifs from everyday life. He was the director and served as the first professor at theNorwegian Academy of Artsfrom 1909 to 1925.

Biography

Christian Krohg was born atVestre Aker(now Oslo), Norway. He was one of five children born to Georg Anton Krohg (1817–1873) and Sophie Amalia Holst (1822–1861). He was a grandson ofChristian Krohg(1777–1828) who had served as a government minister. His father was a civil servant, journalist and author. His mother died when he was only 8 years old, and his father's sister took over responsibility for the household and the upbringing of the children. From 1861, he attendedHartvig Nissen School.

His father had asked him to pursue a legal career. Krohg studied law at theUniversity of Oslo(thenChristiania) graduatingcand.jur.in 1873, the same year in which his father died. During 1869–70, he had also studied at the art school ofJohan Fredrik EckersbergatLille Grensenin Christiania. He was additionally educated in Germany, first at theBaden School of ArtinKarlsruheunderHans Gudein 1874. He also trained underKarl Gussowfrom 1875. He followed with study at theKönigliche AkademieinBerlinfrom 1875 to 1878.

He was awarded the Schäffer's legacy (1876–77) and received a government travel allowance during 1877–78 and in 1881. In 1879, on the encouragement of artistFrits Thaulow,he visited theSkagen artists colony.He returned toSkagenin 1882–84 and 1888. Through his periodic future residence at Skagen, he would influence other artists includingAnnaandMichael Ancherand provided early support toEdvard Munch.

Krohg worked inParisfrom 1881 to 1882. Inspired by the ideas of therealistshe chose motifs primarily from everyday life – often its darker or socially inferior sides. Prostitution is the subject of his paintingAlbertine i politilægens venteværelse,and Krohg also wrote a novel about the depicted scene. The novel,Albertine,caused a scandal when first published, and it was confiscated by the police.

Krohg's style made him a leading figure in the transition fromromanticismtonaturalism.

Krohg was the founding and editor-in-chief of theKristiania Bohemianjournal,Impressionistenfrom 1886 until 1890. He then became a journalist for theOslonewspaperVerdens Gangfrom 1890 to 1910. Christian Krohg was also associated withPolitiken1893–1894.

He taught atAcadémie Colarossiin Paris from 1902 until 1909. Later he became a professor-director at theNorwegian Academy of Arts(Statens Kunstakademi) from 1909 until 1925.

There are notable collections of art by Christian Krohg in theNational Museum of Art, Architecture and Designin Oslo and atSkagens Museumin Denmark.

Awards and honors

Christian Krohg received numerous national and international awards during his career. In 1889, he was made a Knight in the FrenchLegion of Honourand entered in the BelgianOrder of Leopoldin 1894. He served as Norwegian Commissioner at theExposition Internationale d'AnversatAntwerpin 1894 and held membership in the Societe Nouvelle de Peintres et de Sculpteurs from 1900. Krohg was made a Knight 1st Class in theOrder of St. Olavin 1900 and received the Command Cross in 1910.

Personal life

He was married to artistOda Lasson(1860–1935). In 1885, their daughter Nana (1885–1974) was born and in 1889 their son muralistPer Lasson Krohg(1889–1965). In 1888, Oda obtained a divorce from her first husband Jørgen Engelhardt; they were married in that same year. In 1897, his wife took their son Per and moved to Paris with dramatistGunnar Heiberg.They were later reconciled. In 1914, Christian Krohg established residence nearFrogner Parkwhere he died in 1925. Oda Krohg died in 1935. Both were buried atVår Frelsers gravlundin Oslo.

A bronze statue of Krohg by sculptorsPer HurumandAsbjørg Borgfeltwas erected at the crossing of Lille Grensen-Karl Johans gate in Oslo in 1960.

Gallery

Portraits

• 
  Portrait of the PainterGerhard Munthe
• 
  Oda Krohg(Portrait of Oda Krohg. 1888)
• 
  Selvportrett med staffeli(Self-portrait with easel. 1912)

Social realism

• 
  Silda Kommer(The herring are in)
• 
  Babord litt(Port side,1879)
• 
  Håret flettes(The hair is being braided,1882)
• 
  Sovende mor med barn(Sleeping mother with child,1883)
• 
  Trett(Tired,1885)
• 
  Albertine i politilægens venteværelse(Albertine at the Police Doctor's Waiting Room,1885–87)
• 
  Kampen for tilværelsen(Struggle for existence,c. 1888-89)
• 
  Leiv Eriksson oppdager Amerika(Leiv Eirikson discovering America,1893)
• 
  17 mai 1893(May 17, 1893)

Other sources

• Thue, Oscar (1997)Christian Krohg(Oaslo: Aschehoug)ISBN978-8203221033
• Thue, Oscar (1971)Christian Krohgs portretter(Oslo: Gyldendal)ISBN978-8205002401
• Bryne, Arvid (2009)Christian Krohg. Journalisten(Oslo: Unipub Forlag)ISBN978-8274774452

External links

• Christian Krohg at the National Museum (Oslo)
• Christian Krohg at Skagens Museum
• Digitized books by Christian KrohgatNational Library of Norway
• Works by Christian KroghatProject Gutenberg
• Works by or about Christian Krohgat theInternet Archive
• MyNDIR (My Norse Digital Image Repository)Illustrations by Christian Krohg from manuscripts and early print books.