Hans Dahl (Norwegian, 1849-1937), Young Woman with Scythe

Oil on canvas, signed at lower right, framed.

Stretcher size 38 x 26 in.; Frame dimensions 42 1/4 x 30 1/4 in.

Hans Dahl was a Norwegian painter best known for his idyllic and romantic depictions of fjord landscapes and traditional rural life. Born in Hardanger, Norway, Dahl initially served in the military before pursuing formal art studies in Düsseldorf and later in Karlsruhe under Hans Gude. Influenced by the German Romantic school, his work is characterized by detailed natural scenery and lively figures, often featuring smiling young women in regional dress set against majestic Norwegian backdrops. His paintings celebrate the beauty of Norway’s nature and culture, capturing an idealized vision of national identity during a time of growing Norwegian nationalism.

Dahl gained international recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, exhibiting widely in Europe and receiving commissions from European royalty, including German Emperor Wilhelm II. Despite the rise of modernism, he remained committed to a more traditional, realist style throughout his career. In 1919, he returned to Norway permanently, settling in Balestrand along the Sognefjord, where he continued to paint until his death. Today, Hans Dahl is remembered as one of Norway’s most beloved painters, admired for his technically skilled, nostalgic portrayals of a vanishing way of life.

Good estate condition.