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NIKOLAI
ASTRUP – a Biography |
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| 1880 | Nikolai Astrup was born
at Kalvåg vicarage in Bremanger in Nordfjord. His parents were the clergyman Christian Astrup and Petra Astrup, née Mørch Lodtz. |
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| 1883 | The family moves to Ålhus in Jølster where his father had been appointed vicar. | |
| 1895 | Entered Kathedralskolen (The Cathedral School) in Trondhjem. | |
| 1897 | Graduated from
Kathedralskolen, the classical side, in Trondhjem. Returns home to
Jølster; tutor for his siblings. Begins drawing and painting by
himself; pictures from the vicarage, banners and ornamental
patterns. |
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| 1899 | In the autumn Astrup
entered The Drawing School in Kristiania. Nude studies and etching
experiments under Johan Nordhagen’s tuition. Enters Harriet Backer’s
private art school in Kristiania. Nude and head studies; also as oil
paintings. During his holidays Astrup visits his home in Jølster to
paint local motives. |
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| 1901 | Astrup’s exhibitor debut
at Kristiania Art Society’s spring exhibition with ”Autumn Rain in
the Mountain Parish” painted in 1900. The motive is the outhouses at
Jølster vicarage. This painting is now in the National Gallery in
Oslo. Graduates from H. Backer’s art school. In November he receives a travel grant from Schou’s Scholarship and sets forth on a study tour. Visits art collections in Luebeck, Hamburg, Dresden, Berlin and Muenich. Arrives at Paris towards Christmas and becomes an apprentice at the Academie Colarossi where Christian Krogh becomes his tutor. Takes interest in Henri Rousseau, Maurice Denis, Paul Gauguin and Hokusai. |
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| 1902 | Returns home with the
intention to settle down in Jølster for good. The testimonial from Christian Krogh says: ”I believe of him, that he will become the one who most strongly will contribute to the due recognition of Norwegian art both at home and abroad”. Most of the time up to 1911 Astrup resides at Jølster vicarage. |
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| 1904 | Astrup’s first wood engravings; ”Small Self-portrait” and ”Waterfall and Glacier”. | |
| 1905 | In May Astrup held his
first separate exhibition at Blomqvist’s Art Shop in Kristiania. A
truly convincing success; enthusiastic reviews. ”Old Storehouse in
Jølster” purchased by the National Gallery at the recommendation of
Eilif Peterssen. At Werenskiold’s recommendation, Astrup was commissioned to illustrate Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson’s Bondefortellinger (Country tales) published by Gyldendals Forlag in Copenhagen. He makes numerous pen drawings over the period 1905-1907, but then abandons both the commission and the drawing technique. |
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| 1906 | Invited by Werenskiold
to participate in ”Group I” at ”Norwegian Art Exhibition” at
Charlottenborg in Copenhagen. |
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| 1907 | Got married to Engel Sunde. She moves in with him at the vicarage. | |
| 1908 | Travels to London in
January, financed by Henrichsen’s Legacy. Makes his own studies and
observations in various art galleries. Particularly fascinated by
Constable. Returns home at the end of April and opens his second
separate exhibition at Bergen Art Society. Enthusiastic reviews and
several sales; among others to Rasmus Meyer’s art collection. |
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| 1911 | His third and last
separate exhibition; - at The Artists’ Association in Kristiania in
January. Enthusiastic reviews. In February Astrup travels to Berlin financed by Houen’s Legacy. During his home journey in the spring, he paints motives from Astrup Gård in Schleswig where his ancestors came from. The birth of Astrup’s first child; his daughter Kari. |
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| 1912 | The family - and their maid - move to their new house at Myklebust. | |
| 1914 | Leaves Myklebust owing
to controversies with the landowner. Moves to Sandalstrand, but
continues to use the studio at Myklebust, 3 kilometres away from
Sandalstrand. |
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| 1916 | Travels to Copenhagen and Stockholm together with Moritz Kaland and Nils Krantz. Pays prince Eugen a visit. | |
| 1919 | Being awarded a travel
grant from Conrad Mohr, but the journey has to be postponed due to
illness and other reasons. |
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| 1922 | Travels together with his wife Engel to Algerie via Germany and Italy. | |
| 1923 | Returning home via Paris in the spring. | |
| 1928 | Dies from pneumonia on
21st January, 47 years old. Astrup suffered from tuberculosis and
asthma through most of his life. |
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| 1964 | Jølster municipality
purchased Astruptunet for 270 000 kroner to create a permanent
museum for Nikolai Astrup’s life and work. |
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