19 Facts About Frida Hansen

Frida Hansen was a Norwegian textile artist in the Art Nouveau style.

Frida Hansen has been described as a bridge between Norwegian and European tapestry, and several of her weaving designs are considered among the best made in recent European textile art.

Frida Hansen's parents were Mathilde F Helliesen and Peter Sickerius Petersen.

When Frida Hansen's father died in 1875 the couple moved to Kohlerhuset in Hillevag.

Frida Hansen eagerly engaged in building a garden on the property.

Frida Hansen fled abroad for a few years, and Frida was left with sole responsibility for the family.

In May 1892 Frida Hansen moved to Oslo and founded, complete with a dyeing workshop.

From 1897 to 1906, Frida Hansen ran, a workshop which mainly worked out of her patterns.

At the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, Frida Hansen was awarded the gold medal for her tapestry.

In 1915 Frida Hansen received the King's Medal of Merit in gold for her work as a textile artist.

From 1926 until her death in 1931, Frida Hansen worked on the St Olav wall tapestry in Stavanger Cathedral.

Frida Hansen died in Oslo and was buried at the cemetery of Ullern Church.

Frida Hansen was strongly influenced by the theory of English textile designer William Morris.

When Frida Hansen wanted to abstract a flower, she drew it straight from above or from the side, just as Morris had done before her.

Frida Hansen was particularly concerned that the textiles should not be woven paintings, but should have their own expression.

Frida Hansen was very fond of flowers, a common theme found in her tapestries.

Frida Hansen's tapestries were often faulted for not expressing Norwegian art and culture.

Frida Hansen responded to the criticism by making art that was more international, much like the decorative art of Morris.

Frida Hansen usually created full-size cards, dyed the yarn and took care of the transfer.