Nøsthaug, Kvinnherred 1873

Amaldus Nielsen made this oil painting, titled Nøsthaug, Kvinnherred, in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. The image represents a rural scene in Norway, probably painted *en plein air* – that is, outside. Note the low horizon line and the large areas dedicated to sky and land; the painting captures the essence of the Norwegian landscape. Nielsen was part of a generation of artists who sought to establish a distinct national identity, which often involved depicting the natural beauty and cultural traditions of Norway. This painting is a romanticized vision of rural life, with the farmhouse and grazing cows suggesting a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. Analyzing paintings such as this requires looking at Nielsen's artistic training, considering the wider art market, and exploring the growth of cultural nationalism in Norway. These kinds of resources help us understand the ways that the image is rooted in its particular time and place.