About
Henrik Sørensen painted both human figures and nature throughout his entire career, and Night inTelemark is a fine example of his lyrical, atmospheric landscapes. Using succulent colours and forceful brushstrokes, he manages to conjure up some of the nature that typifies Telemark. Tall, forested hills and green vegetation dominate the middle ground and the background, while the foreground features a hay barn, grey from exposure to the elements. The dark hues permeating the entire composition underscore the mystical, magical nature of the Nordic summer night.
Sørensen returned to Norway in 1927 after a lengthy stay in Paris. He bought a summer residence in Holmsbu south of Oslo, and travelled intermittently around Eastern Norway. His travels to Telemark and Gudbrandsdalen in particular resulted in many landscape paintings, but it is above all his depictions of the secluded nature of Telemark that evoke a sense of mysticism and nocturnal serenity. Similar to the romantic painters, Sørensen sought to capture what was primevally Norwegian in his landscape paintings. An intriguing paradox in his paintings is their combination of romantic, Norwegian landscapes with French learning and influence, including from Henri Matisse. Sørensen’s interest in nature, legends, and folklore is also evident from his portrayals of the celebrated fiddler Myllarguten and Tone Veli, a figure invented by Sørensen himself.
Henrik Sørensen remained a leading figure in the Norwegian art community for decades. He also received several commissions to decorate public buildings, the most important of which are Oslo City Hall and the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Creation date:
- 1927
- Other titles:
- Telemarksnatt (NOR)
- Object type:
- Painting
- Materials and techniques:
- Olje på lerret
- Material:
- Canvas
- Dimensions:
- Width: 107 cm
- Height: 96 cm
- Depth: 2.6 cm
- Keywords:
- Visual art
- Classification:
- 532 - Bildende kunst
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Other works by Henrik Sørensen
Staircase in the Doge's PalaceHenrik Sørensen1947
Early Spring in HakadalHenrik Sørensen1945
Reunion. Study for the decoration of the Crematorium in ÄlesundHenrik Sørensen1956–1957
At Dusk in StøylsdalenHenrik Sørensen1947
"Fossegrimen" Sketch for the decoration of Oslo Council Hall, (not used)Henrik Sørensen(Påbegynt 1938, avsluttet 1950)
Summer in FranceHenrik Sørensen1920
Et stykke borte i åsen, hvor han aldri hadde sett annet enn skog og kratt før, sto det en gammel trekirkeHenrik Sørensen4. juli 1916
Illustrasjon til "Rike Per Kremmer", P. Chr. Asbjörnsen og J. Moe, Samlede eventyr, 1936Henrik SørensenFør 1936
Gutten hugg av hodet og nappet tre fjær av stjerten på hamHenrik SørensenFør 1936
Illustrasjon til "En frierhistorie", P. Chr. Asbjörnsen og J. Moe, Samlede eventyr, 1936Henrik Sørensen1932
FjellgårdHenrik SørensenFør 1936
Illustrasjon til P. Chr. Asbjörnsen og J. Moe, Samlede eventyr, 1936Henrik SørensenJuli 1932







































