Rosemaling

Being Norwegian, I grew up around many traditional things you would see in Norway since my gradparents all emigrated from Oslo. One of the things I have always been fascinated by was the rosemaling. It was on tables, decorative boards around the house, even wooden shoes. I have a tabletop (pictured here) that I have owned for twenty years that was painted by a woman in the town I am from. I love the traditional blue background best, but find the rust and browns beautiful as well.

Rosemaling is a Norwegian folk art and the word means rose or flower painting, but it represents a characteristic type of Norwegian folk painting. Norwegian art is essentially ornamental, never naturalistic and its ideas are charged with ancient magic. They are of practical use in the home and their bright colors make them a cheerful addition to any kitchen or room.

The ancient Scandinavian art of rosemaling ("rose designing"), can be described as a distinctive form of Norwegian art with bold flourishes and delicate scrolls in bright colors. The popular conception of the rose pattern on natural wood or white background differs from the more authentic reproduction of the art that uses colored backgrounds, including black.

The art of rosemaling is tedious and it is difficult to find those who will take the time the intricate work demands. Rosemaling bears the same relation to the more formal Norwegian art that folk songs bear to the classics. It is the art of the people and that is why it has lived on for centuries.

Each piece of rosemaling is by its very nature, an original, painted in the coloring and technique of the Norse folk-artists of a century ago. and finished with layers of lacquers.

Although rosemaling means literally- rose painting, the word rose may be more freely translated as flower, and although the designs are completely imaginary, the flower motif is central to the decoration. Most characteristic of this painting is its use of color. Vermilion and bright blues predominate in the design to form a combination that is entirely distinctive. The artist mixes her own paints, and varnishes over the finished article to make it durable and washable.

Contact me for rosemaling resources - ross@kon-tent.com