HARRIET BACKER

 

Post 196 -by Gautam Shah

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SUNDAY Feature on ART of Architecture

Harriet Backer (1845-1932) was a pioneer female artist of Norway. She was known for the detailed scenes of interior spaces. She handled dwellings of all strata and religious buildings. In her paintings female figures dominate the scene.

Her interior spaces are lit, mainly by single source of light. She, later, began to paint interiors lit by lamplight, for play of light and shadow, forming mystical sense to the space. She used bold colours for the luminous quality.

She often staged her interiors for the desired effects. In preparatory studies, she used impressionistic style, for a quick grasp. In her career she painted 180 paintings, mostly of farm and church interiors.

In the initial phase, she was fascinated by the naturalism, which made her to go to Paris, where she stayed for ten years. On return to Norway she opened an Art school to encourage young females to pursue art career. She was ‘one of the few female artists who achieved recognition while she was still alive’.

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