Per Lasson Krohg (Father: Christian Krohg; Mother: Oda Krohg—both prominent painters; Spouses: Cécile Marie “Lucy” Vidil, Ragnhild Helene Nygaard; Son: Guy Krohg, an artist)
Per Lasson Krohg (1889–1965) was a highly influential Norwegian artist, best known for his monumental fresco paintings and his pivotal role in the Norwegian “fresco epoch” during the first half of the 20th century.
Born into an artistic dynasty, Krohg’s parents were the celebrated Norwegian bohemian painters Christian and Oda Krohg. Because of his family’s lifestyle, he spent much of his childhood and early adulthood in Paris. There, he was steeped in the vibrant avant-garde art scene, studying at the Académie Colarossi and later under Henri Matisse from 1909 to 1910. His early easel paintings were heavily influenced by Cubism and Expressionism, characterized by bold colors, stylized forms, and often depicting scenes of Parisian cabaret and city life.
Following his return to Norway, Krohg shifted his focus toward monumental public art, a movement aimed at democratizing art by placing it in civic spaces. He became a master of the fresco technique. His murals are celebrated for their strong narrative composition, dynamic energy, and deep humanist themes, often reflecting on nature, industry, and the human condition. He completed major decorative commissions for public buildings in Oslo, including the Navigation School, the University of Oslo library, and the Oslo City Hall.
His most globally recognized masterpiece, however, is located in New York City. In 1952, Krohg was commissioned to paint the massive mural that serves as the backdrop for the United Nations Security Council Chamber. The painting symbolizes the world emerging from the darkness of war into the light of peace, a powerful allegory for the UN’s core mission.
Alongside his prolific artistic output, Krohg was a dedicated educator, serving as a professor at the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (1934–1946) and later at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts (1946–1958), leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of Scandinavian artists.
Active in others filds : Art Education (Professor), Book Illustration, Scenography (Theatrical Set and Costume Design).
