Harald Kihle
A Norwegian painter who captured the rugged soul and folk traditions of Telemark with a bold, expressive palette.
1905–1997 (age 92)·Norwegian painter and illustrator·Birthday: July 3·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Harald Kihle, born in 1905, forged his artistic identity in the dramatic landscapes and cultural heritage of Telemark, Norway. Moving beyond mere depiction, his paintings are vibrant interpretations of rural life—farmers at work, folk dances, and stark winter scenes—rendered with a robust, almost muscular brushwork and a deep, resonant color sense. He studied under influential artists like Henrik Sørensen, absorbing elements of modernism while remaining rooted in national romantic themes. Kihle also became a sought-after illustrator, bringing his distinctive style to books and publications, which helped popularize Norwegian folk tales and history. His work serves as a powerful visual chronicle of a way of life that was rapidly modernizing, preserving its spirit with warmth and vitality until his death in 1997.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Harald was born in 1905, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Harald Was Born
The biggest hits of 1905
Harald's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1905Born
Einstein publishes the theory of special relativity
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1910Started school
Halley's Comet makes its closest approach
President: William Howard Taft
1918Became a teenager
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Could drive
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1923Could vote
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1926Turned 21
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1935Turned 30
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1945Turned 40
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1955Turned 50
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $9,550Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsBest Picture: Marty
1965Turned 60
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1975Turned 70
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1985Turned 80
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1997Died at 92
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
Key Achievements
- Became one of the most recognized painters of Telemark's people and landscapes in the 20th century.
- Completed significant mural commissions for public buildings, including schools and a post office in Oslo.
- Illustrated numerous books, notably for author Regine Normann, visually defining Norwegian folk culture for generations.
Did You Know?
He was a founding member of the artist group 'Bønntu' along with other notable Norwegian painters.
Kihle's studio in Bø in Telemark is preserved as a cultural heritage site.
During World War II, his art was deemed 'degenerate' by the Nazi occupation forces.
“The strength of Norway is in the back of the man behind the plow.”
