Hi everyone,
I would really appreciate your help in identifying the artist and getting some insights into this interesting piece of Norwegian history.
It is a painting depicting a traditional Norwegian cabin interior (hytte / stue), signed “Chr.” on the front. However, what makes it truly unique as a time capsule is its reverse side, which has survived with a fascinating and untouched provenance:
- It is painted on an “Alf Bjerckes Artistoplater” board (priced at 2.60 kr).
- It features a beautifully preserved, original paper railway luggage tag from NSB, documenting its journey “Fra Oslo Ø. — Til Trondheim”.
- The purple stamp on the tag clearly confirms the year: 1949.
- There is also a pencil inscription on the wooden frame that says “Norske vegger… fra museet” (or similar), suggesting it was painted inside an open-air ethnographical museum.
The fact that this fragile paper luggage tag from 1949 survived completely intact on the back of the painting for over 70 years is incredible.
Does anyone recognize the signature “Chr.” from this era? Could it be a known regional artist, an academy student from 1949, or a talented hobbyist? Any thoughts on its historical or market value given this unique NSB provenance?
Thank you so much for your time and help!
