The Life of Peder Aadnes Peder Pedersen Aadnes was a Norwegian rural painter born in Odnes in what is now Søndre Land Municipality. His early training began at the age of fifteen as an apprentice when Eggert Munch painted the altarpiece in the church in Fluberg. Later, he completed a three-month apprenticeship under the painter and drawing teacher Niels Thaaning. In 1772, Aadnes married Ingeborg Trøgstad and took over the family farm. While managing his farm, his painting work took him to various locations throughout eastern Norway. His repertoire included portraits and the decoration of chur…