History of Traditional Norwegian Rosemaling
The Past
Rosemaling is a Norwegian word, which defines "rose painting" as a rustic art that adorned the walls, ceilings and furniture of the peasants' homes and churches. This is folk-art of rural Norway that flourished from 1700 to 1850. Previous to these years, woodcarving was the predominate decoration in homes and churches, and this same carving used the acanthus leaf and baroque tendrils that were later adopted by the rosemalers. First painting was done over the carved scrolls, as in the district of Gudbrandsdal, but the decorative painting began to take hold, adding cheerfulness with color.
Numerous small objects such as ale-bowls, tankards, boxes and trays were decorated. Most highly prized though, were the large clothes chests referred to as Bride's or Dowry chests. Many of these have been treasured down through the years, and have been brought across the ocean to America by the immigrants of the 1800's.
In the late 19th century, this rich peasant art started its decline. The machine age had begun, pride in hand work became unpopular, and with better roads, the peasant was able to leave the country and see the city with its industrialization and technical advantages. Fortunately enough of this fine fold art has been preserved for us to draw on for inspiration, in this day when pride in hand work is being restored.
Color
The colors used in traditional Norwegian rosemaling are bright and happy, but never garnished. As we see them today, on the old worn pieces, the colors seem dim and soft. One can paint in soft old colors and have the decorated piece look serene, or one can use strong clear color, and then add patina by rubbing over the decoration with aging overtones.
So we will think of color for the backgrounds in hues of dull teal blue, deep blue gray, dull red, brick red, red-orange, pale yellow, ochre, charcoal black, deep green and old white.
More modern rosemaling uses the brighter, less antique versions of these colors. Painters us bright yellows, greens, red, pinks blues and whites. This gives a fresh new life to a more traditional style of art.
A Wood Base
Traditionally, rosemaling is done on wood, not on tin as was true with many articles of early American vintage. We are not without color in our homes as was the case of the peasant two centuries ago, so we are not going to think of large areas of our homes to decorate such as the walls. Rather we should look for that item, which because of its plain line or lack of color, has been relegated to the dusty attic of dark corner of the basement, Take the little box, stool, toy chest or any cast off piece, and let your imagination soar as you envision what a charming object it can become with a new coat of paint and some charming decorations form our past.
For more information visit www.rosemaling.org