Norwegian Rosemaling hails from the writhing animals and ribbons found on Viking ornamentation, weapons, boats, and structures. Spending extensive time in carving, the arts thrived amongst the Vikings as they picked up new patterns and ideas in each region they pillaged, covering their every possession with heavy ornamentation. These designs gave inspiration to Rosemaling (“flower painting” in Norwegian), and like the Vikings, painters covered walls, doors, ceilings, and any wood they could find in colorful brush strokes, pushing back the bleakness of the long winters.
This is the origin story of Norwegian Rosemaling. It is my hope to keep this art tradition alive by sharing its story at art events like the one I’ll be at on Saturday in Kutztown, PA. So much more to these brushstrokes, friends.
