Theodor Severin Kittelsen (1857 - 1914)

Born 27 Apr 1857 in Kragerø, Telemark, Norway

Ancestors

Husband of Inga Kristine Christensdatter — married 18 Aug 1889 in Østre Aker, Kristiania, Norway

Died 21 Jan 1914 at age 56 in Jeløya, Moss, Smaalenenes, Norway

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Theodor Kittelsen is Notable.

Biography

One of the most well-known Norwegian artists, Theodor Kittelsen became famous for his paintings of nature, as well as for illustrations of fairy tales and legends, including the Norwegian forest troll.^[1]

Theodor was born 27 April 1857 in Kragerø, Telemark, Norway, the son of Johannes KIttelsen and Guriane Olsdatter. He was baptized at Kragerø 1 June 1857.^[2] His father, who was a merchant and operated a brandy shop, died when Theodor was only twelve. After his father's death, Theodor's mother married again, and Theodor, along with his siblings, lived with their mother and stepfather.^[3] In 1877, when Theodor was twenty years old, his mother died, and a year later, in 1878, his stepfather died. So at the age of 21 Theodor was completely on his own.

Theodor got off to a rough start. After his father died in 1869, Theodor was apprenticed to a housepainter in Christiania and later a watchmaker in Arendal. In 1874, he became a student of art and painting after his talent was discovered by Diderich Maria Aall, who supported young Theodor in studying at the School of Art in Christiania. At the time of the 1875 Norway Census, Theodor was living with his mother and stepfather in Kragerø. In 1876, he studied in Munich at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich and after his financial support evaporated, he became a struggling artist. His mother died in 1877 while Theodor was living abroad. After his return to Norway in 1880, he lived with his sister and brother-in-law, who managed a lighthouse in Lofotens.^[4][5]

Once he focused his art on nature and the fairytales of the north, Theodor met with more success. It began after he was asked to illustrate Asbjørnsen's book "Fairy Tales from the Far North." He later illustrated his own books, including "The Black Death."

He married Inga Kristine Christensdatter Dahl 18 August 1889 at Østre Aker, Oslo, Norway.^[6] They were the parents of nine children: three daughters, Ingrid Treider, Liv Kittelsen, and Nanna Kittelsen, and six sons, Leif Kittelson, Kittel Bonde Kittelsen, Alf Kittelsen, Inge Kittelsen, Theodor Kittelsen, Helge Theodor Kittelsen.^[7]

In his later years, Theodor struggled with poor health and he and his family moved closer to Oslo. The Norwegian Parliament provided him with a civil grant in 1911.

He passed away 21 January 1914 at Jeløya, Øsfold, Norway at the age of 56. His remains were buried at Moss, Øsfold 27 January 1914.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Theodor Kittelsen Arts and Culture on Google. This site includes many examples of his work.
2. ↑ "Norway Church Books, 1815-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6835-3R1C : 4 August 2021), Theodor Severin, 1857.
3. ↑ At the time of the 1875 Norway Census, Guriane was living in Kragerø with her second husband, Ingebrit Grenager, along with the children from her first marriage. Ingebrit was working as a manager for a distribution company. In the household were Guriane's children Johannes, born 1856; Theodor, born 1857; Jens, 1859; Dorthe, 1861; Anders Olaus, 1863; Johanne Gurine, 1866; and Karoline Marie, 1869. There were also two servants in the household Inger Nicoline Johansdatter, born 1851 and Berte Marie Tholofsen, born 1857. Folketelling 1875 for 0801P Kragerø prestegjeld.
4. ↑ Theodor Kittelsen (1857-1914).
5. ↑ Theodor Kittelsen Timeline from the webpage Theodor Kittelsen, 1857-1880.
6. ↑ "Norway Church Books, 1815-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6837-YGPV : 4 August 2021), Theodor Severin Kittelsen, 1889.
7. ↑ Theodor Severin Kittelsen, Artist, on Prabook.
8. ↑ "Norway Church Books, 1815-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:683H-LSDZ : 4 August 2021), Theodor Severin Kittelsen, 1914.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Kittelsen