Bjørn Smith-Hald was a spirited Norwegian painter of impressionistic landscapes and, later, expressionistic figurative works.

Born in Paris, Smith-Hald’s father, Frithjof Smith-Hald (1846-1903), was an esteemed landscape painter who became a key player in a Nordic colony of artists based in the French capital. Hence, his early years would’ve been particularly illuminating. By 1891, his family had returned to Norway and he undertook his education in Bergen before moving to Berlin and Antwerp due to the demands of his father’s career. In 1899, he settled in London where he trained as a shipbuilder like his brother.

However, the artistic life had captured his imagination and he soon returned home to work under the tutelage of his father. Smith-Hald Senior was a traditionalist who trained with Johan Fredrik Eckersberg (1822-1870), famed for his grand depictions of epic mountain ranges. By 1900, attitudes were changing, with the advent of post-impressionism in France, and it’s interesting to consider how the young aspiring mind of Smith-Hald Junior felt about his father’s approach.

Stylistically, Bjørn Smith-Hald's approach was considerably different to his father’s and his landscapes represent a shift in thinking, from traditional academic beliefs to freer, more liberal, plein air studies. He evidently worked predominantly outside, amid the elements, to capture a simpler view of Norway that represented an unembellished truth.

He returned to Paris on numerous occasions including an extended spell from 1918-1919, when he produced an array of bright, impressionistic views, reminiscent of British painter Alfred Sisley (1839-1899). It’s conceivable that Sisley was a role model.

Over the next ten years, he travelled extensively, including sojourns to Denmark, Latvia, Sweden, Switzerland, Lithuania, Spain, Italy and Argentina, and was actively exhibiting until around 1933. For reasons unknown, he dropped off the map for around 26 years until being rediscovered by Per Aabel (1908-1993), who organised a solo show in Oslo. Inspired by Picasso, Edvard Munch and German Expressionism, his final works were expressive, figurative and often featured grotesque cave dwellers. How times had changed in fifty years of art.

He’s represented in various public collections including at The National Gallery in Oslo, Gothenburg Art Museum, the National Museum in Stockholm, and the National Museum in Warsaw.

Exhibited

Blomqvist in Norway, Germany, Copenhagen, Paris and Antwerp.

Public Collections

The National Gallery in Oslo, Gothenburg Art Museum, National Museum in Stockholm, National Museum in Warsaw, Rasmus Meyers Collections in Bergen, Moss Art Gallery, Skien Art Association's Permanent Gallery, Drammen Art Association's Permanent Gallery.

Timeline

1883

Born Bjørn Didrik Reginald Aall Smith-Hald in Paris, France, to the landscape painter Frithjof Smith-Hald (1846-1903) and Anna Ida Østrup Smith-Hald (nee Dahl) (1854-1944).

1891-1895

Studied in Bergen, Norway.

1895

Travelled to Berlin.

C. 1896

Travelled to Antwerp.

1899-1900

Travelled to London and became a shipbroker.

C. 1900

Trained by his father.

C. 1903

Travelled to the US with his father.

1904

Married Louise Karoline Amalie Nielsen.

1908

Debuted at Blomqvist with portraits of children.
Travelled to Paris.

1914

Travelled to Paris.

1918-1919

Travelled to France and Denmark where he produced a number of landscapes.

1921

Travelled to Paris.

1929-1932

Lived in Riga, Latvia.

1929

Married Lydotschka (Lydia) Kastisi Werther.

1950

Lived in Jeløya near Moss, in the Alby Circle, Norway.

1959

Rediscovered by the chief prosecutor Per Aabel (1908–1993) who staged an exhibition in Oslo.

1964

Died in Moss, Norway.