Thorolf Holmboe

Thorolf Holmboe was a Norwegian painter, illustrator and designer who was influenced by various styles such as naturalism, neo-romanticism, realism, impressionism, art nouveau and jugend. He was born in Vefsn, in Nordland county, Norway as the oldest son of Othar Ervigius Holmboe and his wife Sofie Birgitte Andrea Hall. He had one brother, Othar, who also became a painter. His grandfather was Michael Wide Holmboe, son of bailiff Jens Holmboe and brother of politicians Even, Leonhard and Hans Holmboe. In addition, he was the nephew of Jens Holmboe, cousin of Johan Henrik Rye Holmboe, and brother-in-law of Jappe Nilssen. He studied under Hans Gude in Berlin between 1886 and 1887 and Fernand Cormon in Paris between 1889 and 1891. He also attended the Drawing School in Kristiania under Julius Middelthun. He was a prolific artist and versatile designer who created works in various media such as painting, illustration, porcelain, poster, bookbinding and silverware. He was also an illustrator for 1890s young poets such as Vilhelm Krag, Johan Bojer and Jonas Lie, and for a famous edition of Nordlands Trompet (1892). He is represented with thirteen works in the National Gallery of Norway and several other museums and collections. He received the Petter Dass Medal in 1912 and was a Knight of the 1st Class of Order of St. Olav in 1900. He died in Oslo in 1935.