Brynjulf Bergslien

Bergslien making a bust.

The statue at Slottsplassen, in front of the Royal Palace.

Brynjulf Larsen Bergslien (12 November 1830 – 19 September 1898) was a noted Norwegian sculptor.

Background

Bergslien was born in Voss in Hordaland county, Norway. He was a son of Lars Bergeson Bergslien and Kirsten Knutsdotter Gjelle. He was a brother of noted painter and master artist Knud Bergslien. In 1861 he married Johanne Christine Tønnesen (1842–1930).^[1]

Career

He studied under Jens Adolf Jerichau and Herman Wilhelm Bissen in Copenhagen between 1853 and 1861. He sculpted several prominently placed statues in Oslo, including those of Charles John of Norway and Sweden at Slottsplassen (1875) and of Henrik Wergeland at Eidsvolls plass (1881). Other notable statues include that of Peter Christian Asbjørnsen at St. Hanshaugen Park (1891). Bergslien also operated an artist's training studio. Among his students were Sigvald Asbjornsen and Gustav Vigeland.^[2]

Brynjulf Bergslien and Knud Bergslien were the uncles of painter and sculptor Nils Bergslien. Monuments honoring the three famous Bergslien artists now exist in Bergslien Park located in Voss, Hordaland, Norway.^[3]

References

1. Alfsen, Glenny. "Brynjulf Bergslien". In Helle, Knut. Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
2. Henriksen, Petter, ed. (2007). "Brynjulf Bergslien". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
3. The path-breaking cotter boys of Norwegian national art (Bergsliparken)