Oslo Museum, Oslo, Norway

Originals · The Oslo Museum, Oslo

Famous Artists in the Oslo Museum: the Masters of the Originals

1647 – 1888

By the OriginalUniqueArt.com studio Updated 25 masters, ranked by fame

The most famous artists with works in the Oslo Museum are Christian Krohg, Frits Thaulow, Christian August Lorentzen and Peter Nicolai Arbo.

Below, the 25 best-known of the 136 artists with works of the Oslo Museum in our catalogue (376 works), each with what the museum holds of them.

25masters, ranked by fame
136masters with an original at the Oslo Museum, 66 with two or more
27originals by Axel Stephansen, the most at the house
376originals of the Oslo Museum in our catalogue

The masters of the originals

The 10 masters whose originals hang in the Oslo Museum

For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.

  1. Christian Krohg

    Naturalism

    1. Christian Krohg 1852–1925

    1852–1925 Born in Vestre Aker, Norway Naturalism 7 originals at the Oslo Museum

    He dutifully studied law at the University of Oslo from 1869 to 1873, but his heart lay elsewhere, drawn to the burgeoning world of painting and visual storytelling. Formal artistic training began under Hans Gude at the Baden School of Art in Karlsruhe, laying a foundation in technique before venturing to Paris in 1881-1882.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Christian Krohg: the life and 254 originals

  2. Frits Thaulow

    Impressionism

    2. Frits Thaulow 1847–1906

    1847–1906 Born in Christiania, Norway Impressionism 4 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Born Johan Frederik Thaulow in Oslo (then Christiania) in 1847, he wasn’t simply influenced by the French movement; he actively participated in it, bringing a distinctly Scandinavian sensibility to its exploration of light, atmosphere, and modern life.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Frits Thaulow: the life and 140 originals

  3. Christian August Lorentzen

    Neoclassicism

    3. Christian August Lorentzen 1749–1828

    1749–1828 Neoclassicism 3 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Born in Sønderborg, he embarked on a lifelong pursuit of excellence—first as a sculptor and later as a painter—guided by an unwavering devotion to classical ideals yet embracing the burgeoning spirit of Romanticism.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Christian August Lorentzen: the life and 58 originals

  4. Peter Nicolai Arbo

    4. Peter Nicolai Arbo 1831–1892

    1831–1892 Born in Gulskogen, Norway 3 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Born amidst the serene landscapes of Gulskogen Manor in 1831, Peter Nicolai Arbo was a painter whose soul seemed inextricably linked to the rugged spirit of Norway. After initial training in Copenhagen under Frederik Ferdinand Helsted, he traveled to the renowned Kunstakademie Düsseldorf.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Peter Nicolai Arbo: the life and 24 originals

  5. Hans Heyerdahl

    5. Hans Heyerdahl 1857–1913

    1857–1913 Born in Smedjebacken, Sweden 10 originals at the Oslo Museum

    One of his most celebrated early triumphs was his participation in the 1878 Exposition Universelle, where he earned a third-place medal for his evocative canvas, Adam og Eva drives ut av paradiset.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Hans Heyerdahl: the life and 90 originals

  6. Peder Balke

    Romanticism

    6. Peder Balke 1804–1887

    1804–1887 Born in Helgøya, Norway Romanticism 6 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Balke is best known for his evocative depictions of the Norwegian landscape, a subject he returned to repeatedly throughout his career. Works like Vue de Christiania (aujourd'hui Oslo), painted in 1872, offer a compelling glimpse into the urban life of Norway’s capital, yet even here, the natural world looms large, framing the cityscape and reminding viewers of its connection to the surrounding wilderness.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Peder Balke: the life and 112 originals

  7. Adolph Tidemand

    7. Adolph Tidemand 1814–1876

    1814–1876 Born in Mandal, Norway 5 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Tidemand's upbringing within a prominent family – his father was a customs inspector and Storting representative – provided him with both privilege and exposure to intellectual circles. A pivotal moment in his artistic development occurred when he moved to Düsseldorf, Germany, in 1837.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Adolph Tidemand: the life and 172 originals

  8. Eilif Peterssen

    8. Eilif Peterssen 1852–1928

    1852–1928 Born in Christiania, Norway 9 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Yet, it was in the realm of portraiture that he truly established himself as one of Norway's most revered chroniclers of character. In 1905, a year of immense political significance for Norway, he was tasked with designing the nation's new coat of arms. To look upon a Peterssen painting is to witness a master navigating the delicate balance between the tangible reality of the physical world and the intangible beauty of light and emotion.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Eilif Peterssen: the life and 97 originals

  9. Carl Frederik von Breda

    Neoclassicism

    9. Carl Frederik von Breda 1759–1818

    1759–1818 Born in Stockholm, Sweden Neoclassicism 2 originals at the Oslo Museum

    From a young age, Breda demonstrated exceptional talent, enrolling at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts at nineteen where he studied historical and portrait painting under Lorens Pasch the Younger. Early recognition came swiftly; prizes accumulated, and by 1784, he was already exhibiting nineteen paintings and receiving commissions for royal portraits—including those of Duchess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte, Crown Prince Gustavus Adolphus, and King Gustavus III himself.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Carl Frederik von Breda: the life and 68 originals

  10. Jacob Munch

    Neoclassicism

    10. Jacob Munch 1776–1839

    1776–1839 Born in Christiania, Norway Neoclassicism 12 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Jacob Edvardsson Munch (1776-1839) wasn't merely a Norwegian military officer; he was, in many ways, a pivotal figure in the nascent artistic landscape of his nation. Initially trained in Copenhagen under the influence of Neoclassical principles, particularly those championed by Jacques-Louis David, Jacob’s style evolved beyond simple imitation, hinting at a nascent desire to capture something deeper than mere representation.

    Originals at the Oslo Museum

    Jacob Munch: the life and 63 originals

The masters, continued

No. 11 to No. 25: more masters of the Oslo Museum

  1. Knud Bergslien

    11. Knud Bergslien

    1827–1908 · born in Voss Municipality, Norway · 3 originals at the Oslo Museum

  2. Johannes Flintoe

    12. Johannes Flintoe

    1787–1870 · born in Copenhagen, Denmark · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum

    Danish-born Romanticism painter of rugged Norwegian landscapes, detailed costume studies, and atmospheric mountain scenes.

  3. Asta Nørregaard

    13. Asta Nørregaard

    1853–1933 · born in Christiania, Norway · 21 originals at the Oslo Museum

  4. Johan Fredrik Eckersberg

    14. Johan Fredrik Eckersberg

    Romanticism

    1822–1870 · born in Drammen, Norway · 4 originals at the Oslo Museum

  5. Thorolf Holmboe

    15. Thorolf Holmboe

    Impressionism

    1866–1935 · born in Vefsn Municipality, Norway · 5 originals at the Oslo Museum

  6. Christian Skredsvig

    16. Christian Skredsvig

    Neo-Romanticism

    1854–1924 · born in Modum Municipality, Norway · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum

  7. Hans Linstow

    17. Hans Linstow

    1787–1851 · 4 originals at the Oslo Museum

  8. Henrik Lund

    18. Henrik Lund

    1879–1935 · born in Bergen, Norway · 5 originals at the Oslo Museum

  9. Karl Edvard Diriks

    19. Karl Edvard Diriks

    1855–1930 · born in Christiania, Norway · 8 originals at the Oslo Museum

  10. Andreas Bloch

    20. Andreas Bloch

    1860–1917 · born in Skedsmo Municipality, Norway · 3 originals at the Oslo Museum

  11. Joachim Frich

    21. Joachim Frich

    1810–1858 · born in Bergen, Norway · 4 originals at the Oslo Museum

  12. Johanne Mathilde Dietrichson

    22. Johanne Mathilde Dietrichson

    1837–1921 · born in Christiania, Norway · 4 originals at the Oslo Museum

  13. Jacob Coning

    23. Jacob Coning

    1647–1724 · born in The Hague, Netherlands · 3 originals at the Oslo Museum

  14. Johan Gørbitz

    24. Johan Gørbitz

    1782–1853 · born in Bergen, Norway · 5 originals at the Oslo Museum

  15. Carl Peter Lehmann

    25. Carl Peter Lehmann

    1794–1876 · born in Copenhagen, Denmark · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum

Famous artists in the Oslo Museum, No. 26 to 50

  1. Anders Castus Svarstad1869–1943 · 4 originals at the Oslo Museum
  2. Marie Tannæs1854–1939 · 4 originals at the Oslo Museum
  3. Knud Bull1811–1889 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  4. Carl Frithjof Smith1859–1917 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  5. Frederik Petersen1759–1825 · 5 originals at the Oslo Museum
  6. Eyolf Soot1858–1928 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  7. Cecilie Dahl1858–1943 · 8 originals at the Oslo Museum
  8. Andrea Gram1853–1927 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  9. Christian Meyer Ross1843–1904 · 3 originals at the Oslo Museum
  10. Gudmund Stenersen1863–1934 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  11. Jacob Calmeyer1802–1883 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  12. Halfdan Strøm1863–1949 · 5 originals at the Oslo Museum
  13. Kristofer Sinding-Larsen1873–1948 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  14. Heinrich Christian Friedrich Hosenfelder1720–1805 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  15. Peder Cappelen Thurmann1839–1919 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  16. Wilhelm Holter1842–1916 · 5 originals at the Oslo Museum
  17. Eric Gustav Tunmarck1729–1789 · 3 originals at the Oslo Museum
  18. Otto Emil Johansen1886–1934 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  19. Carl Frederik Vogt1781–1834 · 13 originals at the Oslo Museum
  20. Eggert Munch1685–1764 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  21. Hans Johan Frederik Berg1813–1874 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  22. Ferdinand Jonas Gjøs1790–1852 · 6 originals at the Oslo Museum
  23. Arne Hjersing1860–1926 · 13 originals at the Oslo Museum
  24. Giovanni Costetti1874–1949 · 2 originals at the Oslo Museum
  25. Severin Grande1869–1934 · 3 originals at the Oslo Museum

The house in figures

The masters of the Oslo Museum, in figures

The masters with the most originals at the Oslo Museum

Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth

  • 17th century2
  • 18th century14
  • 19th century49

Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth

  • Norway53
  • Denmark5
  • Sweden3
  • Netherlands1
  • Germany1
  • Italy1

Masters with two originals or more, by movement

  • Neoclassicism3
  • Impressionism2
  • Romanticism2
  • Naturalism1
  • Neo-Romanticism1

Women masters

The women whose originals hang in the Oslo Museum

17 women masters, 57 originals, in our catalogue of the Oslo Museum.

Asked of us

Questions on the masters of the Oslo Museum

Open a question to read the answer.

Which artist in the Oslo Museum is the most famous?

Christian Krohg, with 7 works at the Oslo Museum in our catalogue (Portrait of Viggo Glahn Ørbeck, Portrait of Barbra Sommerfelt and Portrait of Fritz Wedel Jarlsberg); then Frits Thaulow and Christian August Lorentzen.

Which Christian Krohg works are in the Oslo Museum?

7 works by Christian Krohg at the Oslo Museum are in our catalogue: Portrait of Viggo Glahn Ørbeck (1881), Portrait of Barbra Sommerfelt (1910), Portrait of Fritz Wedel Jarlsberg (1910) and Johan Fahlstrøm (1913) among them.

How many Frits Thaulow paintings are in the Oslo Museum?

4 works by Frits Thaulow at the Oslo Museum are in our catalogue: Portrait of Fredrik Collett (1875), Eva Sars spaserende i Slottsparken med en venninne (1880), Stortings plass (1881) and Revierhavnen (1881) among them.

What did Christian August Lorentzen paint that hangs in the Oslo Museum?

3 works by Christian August Lorentzen at the Oslo Museum are in our catalogue: Portrait of Fredrikke Louise Stockfleth (1792), Portrait of Marcus Gjøe Rosenkrantz (1801) and Akershus (1790) among them.

Which famous artists are displayed in the Oslo Museum?

By fame: Christian Krohg (7), Frits Thaulow (4), Christian August Lorentzen (3), Peter Nicolai Arbo (3), Hans Heyerdahl (10), Peder Balke (6), Adolph Tidemand (5), Eilif Peterssen (9), Carl Frederik von Breda (2) and Jacob Munch (12).

Which painter is most represented in the Oslo Museum?

Our catalogue holds 27 works by Axel Stephansen at the Oslo Museum; next come Asta Nørregaard (21), Carl Frederik Vogt (13) and Arne Hjersing (13).

Is Leonardo da Vinci in the Oslo Museum?

No: the Oslo Museum holds no work by Leonardo da Vinci in our catalogue.

Are there Pablo Picasso works in the Oslo Museum?

No: the Oslo Museum holds no work by Pablo Picasso in our catalogue.

Which women artists are in the Oslo Museum?

17 women artists have works of the Oslo Museum in our catalogue, among them Asta Nørregaard (21), Cecilie Dahl (8), Johanne Mathilde Dietrichson (4), Marie Tannæs (4), Helene Gundersen (3) and Andrea Gram (2).

Which countries are the painters of the Oslo Museum from?

Counting the artists with two works or more, the Oslo Museum holds painters born mostly in Norway (53), Denmark (5), Sweden (3), Netherlands (1) and Germany (1).

From which period are the artists of the Oslo Museum?

Most of the artists with two works or more at the Oslo Museum were born in the 19th century (49 artists); the earliest in this ranking is Jacob Coning (1647–1724), the latest Henrik Lund (1879–1935).

How many artists does the collection of the Oslo Museum cover?

136 artists have at least one work of the Oslo Museum in our catalogue; 66 have two or more. They were born between 1647 and 1888, in 6 countries.

The house

The Oslo Museum, Oslo, in a few lines

The History and Identity of Oslo Museum

Oslo Museum is a museum of cultural history located in Oslo, Norway. The institution is situated at Frogner Manor within the Vigeland park. It holds one of the largest collections of paintings in Norway, providing a significant record of the nation's visual history. The museum's presence in Frogner Manor allows for a direct connection between the historical architecture of the site and the art housed within its walls. The museum's identity is rooted in its role as a repository for Norwegian cultural development. Visitors can find a variety of thematic exhibitions that illustrate the history of the city and its commercial and cultural activities. For those visiting the grounds, Cafe Mathia is located on the premises. The cafe serves coffee, tea, mineral water, cakes, sandwiches, and ice cream.

Thematic Collections and Historical Exhibits

The museum's exhibitions illustrate the history of Oslo through specific thematic lenses. These displays trace the development of the city, documenting its evolution alongside its various cultural and commercial activities. The holdings include works by Munch, Krohg, and Wilse. These pieces represent movements such as Expressionism, Impressionism, and Contemporary Realism. The museum's focus covers the Modern period, providing a record of artistic shifts during this era. Each work contributes to a broader understanding of the visual language used to interpret the city and its people.

The famous originals of the Oslo MuseumThe Oslo Museum: the full page, 376 originalsThe museums of Oslo

How the masters of the originals are ranked

The masters with two originals or more of the Oslo Museum in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.

Go on

More masters and houses

The famous originals of the Oslo MuseumRanked by fameThe Oslo Museum: the full pageHistory and all 376 originalsThe 100 greatest mastersAll houses, rankedChristian Krohg7 originals at the Oslo Museum