CRISTIAN SKREDSVIG (1854 - 1924) The home of Christian Skredsvig is situated on the top of Eggedal with a fantastic view of the valley. In his exciting house you can easily understand why the artist was inspired to paint several of his most famous pictures. The home ist well-kept and true in every little detail from when Christian Skredsvig used to live here. Part of the house was originally a renovated barn. Eggedal, the valley between edges, is itself worth a visit as it was here Skredsvig discovered a hidden pearl which gave him plenty of inspiration. Sharp rock formations tower where wild waterfalls of the Eggedøla river come rushing down displaying a white froth. Christian Skredsvig was born the 12th of March 1854 in Modum. In 1869 Skredsvig travelled to Christiania (now called Oslo), and became a student at a painter´s school and the Royal Drawing School. Later on, he continued his studies in Copenhagen. In 1874, he went to Paris, but stayed in Munich, Germany during the period between 1875 and 1878. In 1879, he was back in Norway only to return to Paris. The Salon in Paris was an annual art exhibition, and nobody would be considered as a "real" artist before they had been part of this. Christian Skredsvig had his first picture "Snekjøring on Seinen" estimated at the Salon in 1880. However, his most famous picture is "Bondegård i Venoix" for which he received a gold medal at the Salon in 1881. During the years between 1880 and 1890, Skredsvig had his best years as a painter. Later, he also became an author and published autobiographies and novels. The artist was not influenced a great deal by the modernistic currents at the turn of the last century. The isolated environment of Eggedal could be one of the reasons for this. Throughout his entire artistic career, Christian Skredsvig maintained his classical style, clearly influenced by French naturalism. On January the 9th 1924, the artist died at his home, Hagan, in Eggedal. He will always have an importantposition amongst the masters of the golden age both as a painter and an author. NATIONAL THEATRE Already in ancient Greek theatre the audience had their own room. The Grand Foyer at the National Theatre is among the most beautiful in Oslo. "Its equal can´t be found outside the Royal Palace", said a former National Antiquarian. The ceiling was painted by Christian Skredsvig and the three separate motifs are called Morning, Daytime and Evening. This is a most unusual style of painting for Skredsvig, as he was known for natural and romantic motifs in particular. One day when Skredsvig was working on the ceiling the artistic manager, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, entered the room accompanied by the architect, Henrik Bull. They were not pleased with what they saw and wanted no more of that saccharine painting. That is why some green oval spaces still remain empty. Admission to the Grand Foyer used to be strictly reserved for those with seats in the Stalls and in the Dress Circle. Those with cheap tickets in the Upper Circle did not at that time have any physical access to these areas.