Summer Painted by hand in oil, brushstroke by brushstroke

Early Life, Family and Training

Henrik Lund was born in Bergen, Norway, on 8 September 1879. He entered a family defined by disciplined artistic and military structures. His father, Lt.-Col. Henrik Louis Bull Lund, held a high-ranking military position, while his mother, Birgitte Theodora Carlsen, was a pianist and composer. This domestic environment of formal training was shared with his sister, the composer Signe Lund. While his early years were spent largely at sea, a path toward the visual arts emerged after he moved to Kristiania. He was influenced by the student Per Deberitz, whose connection to Hans Gude redirected his trajectory away from a potential naval career and toward the life of a painter and graphic artist.

His formal instruction was direct and rigorous. In 1899, Lund became a pupil of Harriet Backer, a period that coincided with his professional debut. He did not rely solely on a single mentor; his technical development continued through 1903 when he studied with Johan Nordhagen. These years of study provided the foundation for a career that would eventually move beyond the borders of Norway. His training was not merely about technique but about establishing a presence in the competitive European art scene.

Life and Activity in Various Cities

Lund’s career was defined by a movement between the major cultural hubs of Northern Europe. He established a presence in Copenhagen between 1904 and 1909, a period that marked his professional breakthrough. This era of activity was not confined to Scandinavia; he expanded his reach to Berlin, exhibiting there in 1908. His presence in the German art scene was solidified through participation in "The Six," a notable exhibition held in both Berlin and Copenhagen in 1911.

Paris acted as a recurring anchor for his development. He spent time in the French capital in 1905, returning later for a second stay from 1920 to 1921. These international movements provided the necessary friction for a painter and graphic artist seeking to move beyond his Norwegian origins. His ability to navigate these different urban environments allowed him to maintain a consistent professional trajectory across several decades.

Key Works and Artistic Output

Lund’s output reflects a steady command of portraiture and observational scenes. His early works, such as Breakfast in the Garden (1906) and Sommer (about 1909), demonstrate a focus on light and domestic or natural settings. These pieces established his presence before his more formal engagements with high-profile subjects. By 1911, his ability to capture specific individuals was evident in Marie Bull.

The artist’s later years show a continued interest in the social and political figures of his era. He moved between intimate portraits and larger-scale compositions. His 1921 work, Portrait of the French President Alexandre Millerand, highlights his capacity for handling significant political subjects. This period also saw him documenting his immediate circle, including Kunstnerens hustru Gunbjør, f. Olsen (1920) and Birgit Heiberg, f. Blehr (1914).

Lund also engaged with the intellectual landscape of Norway through his depictions of prominent figures. His 1926 painting, Christian Sinding, Gunnar Heiberg og Knut Hamsun, places him directly within the cultural conversations of the time. His graphic work, including plates such as Mannsportrett and Kvinneportrett (1928), further demonstrates the technical range of his practice.

• Marie Bull (1911)
• Oktoberdag på Skåtøy (1920)
• Christian Sinding, Gunnar Heiberg og Knut Hamsun (1926)
• Portrait of the French President Alexandre Millerand (1921)

Where to See the Works Today

Lund's presence in Norwegian institutional collections remains significant. The National Gallery of Norway in Oslo holds thirteen of his pictures, ensuring his visual language is preserved within the country's primary art repository. His work is not confined to museum walls; it occupies spaces of civic and cultural importance, including the Norwegian Parliament and the National Theatre.

For those seeking his output in his place of birth, the Bergen Kunstmuseum maintains his works within its collection. These holdings provide a direct link to his origins in Bergen. His legacy is anchored in these specific locations, from the halls of government to the public stages of the National Theatre.