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The 5 Most Famous Andreas Bloch Paintings, a Gallery Selection
Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 5 works by Andreas Bloch in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Andreas Bloch left, the most famous is Berent Schanche (1879), in the collection of the Oslo Museum, Oslo. Close behind it come The Artist's Sister Edel Elisabeth Bloch (1883) and Portrait (1913). Our catalog holds 5 works by Andreas Bloch; the gallery has kept the 5 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
1860 – 1917, Skedsmo Municipality
Most works: Oslo Museum
Andreas Bloch's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice
The museums that keep Andreas Bloch's originals
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Andreas Bloch | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Oslo Museum |
Oslo | 3 | Berent Schanche, Portrait, Portrait of Karl Hals. |
 National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design |
Oslo | 1 | The Artist's Sister Edel Elisabeth Bloch |
 Eidsvoll 1814 |
Eidsvoll | 1 | Painting |
Andreas Bloch decade by decade: the original that defines each
Works per decade
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Collectors' questions about Andreas Bloch's paintings
Which work is Andreas Bloch most famous for?Reveal the answer
Berent Schanche (1879), Oslo Museum, Oslo. The Artist's Sister Edel Elisabeth Bloch (1883) and Portrait (1913) come next.
What age was Andreas Bloch when Berent Schanche was made?Reveal the answer
19 years old: Berent Schanche dates from 1879, and Andreas Bloch was born in 1860.
How many paintings did Andreas Bloch leave?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 5 works by Andreas Bloch, dated from 1879 to 1914.
In which museums do Andreas Bloch's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Oslo Museum (Oslo), National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Oslo) and Eidsvoll 1814 (Eidsvoll). The museum table above lists them all.
In which years did Andreas Bloch paint the most famous works?Reveal the answer
In 1910s: 2 of the 5 works on this page were made then, Portrait among them.
What are the first and the last famous originals of Andreas Bloch?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Berent Schanche (1879) and the latest Portrait of Karl Hals. (1914).
Which Andreas Bloch works hang at the Oslo Museum?Reveal the answer
Berent Schanche, Portrait and Portrait of Karl Hals.: the Oslo Museum, Oslo holds 3 of the works on this page.
Andreas Bloch: life and work
A Life Rooted in Norway
Andreas Bloch entered the world on 29 July 1860, born into the quiet surroundings of the Hellerud farm in Skedsmo, within Akershus county, Norway. He was the son of Jens Peter Blankenborg Bloch and Anne Julie Margrethe Schroeter. His early years were shaped by this Norwegian landscape, a setting that would later find its way into his sketches and historical interests. In 1878, he began formal training at the art school of Knud Bergslien, spending a year refining his initial skills before seeking broader horizons.
His pursuit of knowledge led him away from home to the Art Academy of Düsseldorf, where he studied under Johann Peter Theodor Janssen between 1880 and 1881. This period of academic rigor was supplemented by travels through Belgium, Paris, and Leipzig, allowing him to absorb the varied artistic currents of Europe. In 1890, he married Ingeborg Elise Tellefsen, and he remained in Kristiania until his death on 11 May 1917.
The Art of Illustration and Design
While he worked as a painter, Bloch is most frequently remembered for the precision of his drawings. He possessed a particular talent for capturing narrative through line, making him a sought-after illustrator for several satirical magazines, including Vikingen, Krydseren, and Korsaren. His hand was also found in the pages of many books, bringing stories to life for readers across Norway.
His versatility extended far beyond the printed page. He moved between different creative disciplines with ease:
- He designed theatrical costumes for both the Christiania Theater and Nationaltheatret.
- He created posters and portraits that captured the likenesses of his contemporaries.
- He contributed to civic identity by designing the Coat of arms of Lillehammer.
- He even designed the Holmenkollen Medal, an award for skiing established in 1895.
Historical Narratives and Legacy
Bloch had a deep interest in history, which manifested in both his paintings and his book illustrations. He illustrated works by authors such as Margrethe Aabel Munthe, Nordahl Rolfsen, Henrik August Angell, and Jacob Breda Bull. His drawings for Fridtjof Nansen’s expedition books, Paa ski over Grønland and Fram over Polhavet, provided a visual record of significant Norwegian explorations.
His paintings often focused on weighty historical moments. One notable work from 1906 depicts the coronation of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud in Nidaros Cathedral. Through these works, he documented the changing face of his nation. Today, his contributions to Norwegian visual culture are preserved in the collections of the National Gallery and the Oslo City Museum.