East of the Sun and West of the Moon
The exhibition shows a selection of drawings by Erik Werenskiold and Theodor Kittelsen done around 150 years ago as illustrations for Norwegian fairy tales. Collected and written down by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, these stories were passed down through the generations by oral tradition. Werenskiold’s and Kittelsen’s drawings were printed in the first illustrated book of fairy tales for Norwegian children, published in Copenhagen in 1879–1887.
The museum’s collection includes close to 500 fairy tale drawings. They form a central element of Norway’s cultural heritage. Many are highly sensitive to light and are therefore rarely exhibited.
The exhibition is specially designed for children and families. Here you will meet Askeladden (the Ash Lad), princesses, scary trolls, and magical animals.
Theodor Kittelsen, “The tabby who was such a glutton”, 1906. Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Dag André Ivarsøy
Photo: The National Museum / Ina Wesenberg
Erik Werenskiold, “The seventh father in the horn”, 1878. Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Dag André Ivarsøy
Photo: The National Museum / Ina Wesenberg
Erik Werenskiold, “The princess that always had to have the last word”, 1884. Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Dag André Ivarsøy
Photo: The National Museum / Ina Wesenberg
