Theodor Kittelsen, the master of horror
For many a Norwegian child, nothing is more scary than the idea of Nøkken, the water sprite, or Pesta, the bringer of plague. And the artist who shaped their image of those bogeymen more than any other was Theodor Kittelsen (1857–1914).
Text by Matias Helgheim, editor
Eyes glowing in the forest tarn. The oddly shaped root of a tree … which might be moving this way! A milkmaid with long blond hair, who lures young men into the bog.
Images that can play on your mind on late summer evenings out in the woods. A fascination with the stranger, more mysterious aspects of nature is characteristic of Theodor Kittelsen’s work and his folktale illustrations. He is a favourite among black-metal musicians and fantasy fans. Kittelsen’s sombre visions still captivate today.
See more of Kittelsen’s creepy creatures in the National Museum’s digital collection