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The 3 Most Famous David Arnesen Paintings, a Gallery Selection
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 3 works by David Arnesen in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals David Arnesen left, the most famous is Painting (1900), in the collection of the Eidsvoll 1814, Eidsvoll. Close behind it come Painting and Painting. Our catalog holds 3 works by David Arnesen; the gallery has kept the 3 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
1818 – 1895, Oslo
Most works: Eidsvoll 1814
David Arnesen's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice
The museums that keep David Arnesen's originals
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by David Arnesen | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Eidsvoll 1814 |
Eidsvoll | 3 | Painting, Painting, Painting |
Collectors' questions about David Arnesen's paintings
Which work is David Arnesen most famous for?Reveal the answer
Painting (1900), Eidsvoll 1814, Eidsvoll. Painting and Painting come next.
How many paintings did David Arnesen leave?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 3 works by David Arnesen.
In which museums do David Arnesen's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Eidsvoll 1814 (Eidsvoll). The museum table above lists them all.
Which David Arnesen works hang at the Eidsvoll 1814?Reveal the answer
Painting, Painting and Painting: the Eidsvoll 1814, Eidsvoll holds 3 of the works on this page.
David Arnesen: life and work
A Life in Christiania
David Arnesen lived his life within the streets of Christiania, moving through the city during the middle decades of the nineteenth century. Born in 1818, he spent his years focused on the quiet work of the draughtsman and the portraitist. His hands were accustomed to the precise movements required for sketching and capturing the likenesses of those around him.
His presence in the local art community was felt through his role as a teacher. He held a studio where he guided younger hands, most notably instructing Carl Dørnberger when the latter arrived in Christiania at seventeen. This connection linked Arnesen to a lineage of Norwegian art, passing down the technical habits of drawing and observation to a new generation.
The Marks of the Draughtsman
The work left behind by Arnesen shows a focus on the careful rendering of subjects. In 1843, he produced a drawing that remains part of the collections at Bogstad Gård, a piece that speaks to his skill with line and form. His ability to translate a subject onto paper was not about grand gestures but about the steady application of ink or graphite.
Other pieces from his hand reveal a different kind of patience. In 1849, he created a work titled Lodvica de Bretteville, which utilized the delicate medium of paper art. This specific piece, now held by the Oslo Museum, shows a side of his practice that moved beyond simple sketching into more textured, layered compositions. His output was characterized by these specific, tactile explorations of his materials.
A Quiet Legacy
Arnesen passed away in 1895, leaving behind a body of work that remains anchored to the history of Norway. While he did not seek the spotlight of international fame, his influence remained in the classrooms of Christiania and in the archives of local institutions. His life was defined by the following:
- His practice as a portrait artist and draughtsman.
- The instruction of students like Carl Dørnberger.
- The preservation of his drawings in collections such as Bogstad Gård and Oslo Museum.