Valdres Floral Cupboard - JP3167

Located in the southwestern part of Oppland (Gudbrandsdal is the northern part), Valdres area is a land of inner valley and forest with river and lakes. “Valdres” means the “Valley of the pasture and forest.” Valdres rosemaling was most popular from the 1770’s to the mid 1850’s. Influences can be found from the baroque, rococo and neo-classicism period. Peter Aadnes (1739-1792) was one of the most notable early artists. City trained, his style is heavily influenced by the rococo period. Ola Hermundsson Berge (1768-1825), a prolific painter, really developed a strong rustic style. Combining floral bouquets and monochromatic chinoiserie influenced landscapes of the rococo period. He graced the valley with paintings of roses, tulips, and stylized landscapes, (mostly trees). An American counterpart of his stylized landscapes would be Rufus Porter (1792-1884). Although there were other contributing artists to the Valdres style, it is good to look at Berg’s work first, because his work is mo