Werenskiold studied in Kristiania (Now Oslo) in 1873–5 under Julius Middelthun, who discovered his unusual gift for drawing, and then at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Munich (1876–9). Among his early paintings, he revealed an interest in individual personality and psychology, even in a traditional academic subject. In 1878, while on a visit to Kristiania, Werenskiold met the collector and editor Peter Christien Asbjørnsen (1812–85) and was engaged as an illustrator for his new edition of Norwegian Fairy Tales. Werenskiold achieved a striking combination of realistic observation, fantasy and humour, with his imaginary creatures being especially successful. During the 1880s Werenskiold was also active as a painter. He left Munich early in 1881 and settled in Paris where he came to know the work of contemporary French artists. He was initially intrigued by both Naturalism and Impressionism, but eventually found it impossible to abandon the feeling for form and line that he sensed as lacking in these styles. In 1883 he returned to Norway and soon became the chief promoter of a strictly national art, based on the study of Norwegian landscape and folk life. At this time began his long series of portraits representing outstanding compatriots that eventually included Edvard Grieg and Henrik Ibsen. Werenskiold had many pupils and students including Halfdan Egedius and Harald Oskar Egedius.
Auction prices:
Erik Theodor Werenskiold is listed in artprice.com where his drawings are sold for $10,206. (Blomquist. Oslo. 29/10 2001. Lot no: 43)
Øbro Art Gallery 