Albertine (1886 novel)
Encyclopedia
Albertine is a novel written in 1886 by Norwegian painter and writer Christian Krohg
.
The novel is set in Norway's capital, Christiania
, and deals with the life of the unmarried seamstress Albertine, who is eventually forced into prostitution due to the social system of the time. The book was confiscated shortly after its publication. In 1888 the Supreme Court of Norway
upheld the confiscation, and Krohg was sentenced to pay a fine of . Krohg also made several paintings based on the "Albertine" motif, including Trett in 1885 and Albertine i politilægens venteværelse
in 1887.
district of the city.
. A demonstration held outside Prime Minister Johan Sverdrup
's office in January 1887 gathered 5,000 protesters, largely workers and students. The Prime Minister defended his fellow Minister's actions and the confiscation, but expressed the view that he would exterminate the problems described in the novel.
.
Christian Krohg
Christian Krohg , was a Norwegian naturalist painter, illustrator, author and journalist.-Life and career:...
.
The novel is set in Norway's capital, Christiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, and deals with the life of the unmarried seamstress Albertine, who is eventually forced into prostitution due to the social system of the time. The book was confiscated shortly after its publication. In 1888 the Supreme Court of Norway
Supreme Court of Norway
The Supreme Court of Norway was established in 1815 on the basis of the Constitution of Norway's §88, prescribing an independent judiciary. It is located in Oslo and is Norway's highest court...
upheld the confiscation, and Krohg was sentenced to pay a fine of . Krohg also made several paintings based on the "Albertine" motif, including Trett in 1885 and Albertine i politilægens venteværelse
Albertine i politilægens venteværelse
Albertine i politilægens venteværelse is the title of a naturalist painting by Norwegian artist Christian Krohg, showing the scene in a waiting room....
in 1887.
Plot
Albertine is a poor seamstress, living in the eastern part of Christiania. She is being seduced by a "Winther", a police officer, who eventually rapes her while she is unconscious. Later she experiences a humiliating visit to the police doctor's office. She finally ends up as a prostitute, operating in the VikaVika, Oslo
Vika is a neighborhood in the borough Frogner in Oslo, Norway. It is located between the Oslofjord, Aker Brygge, Pipervika, Slottsparken and Oslo City Hall....
district of the city.
Confiscation, trial and reactions
The book was published on 20 December 1886, and the next day it was confiscated by the police, following orders from the Minister of Justice. A fierce newspaper feud developed, but the confiscation was upheld by the court, both the City Court and the Supreme CourtSupreme Court of Norway
The Supreme Court of Norway was established in 1815 on the basis of the Constitution of Norway's §88, prescribing an independent judiciary. It is located in Oslo and is Norway's highest court...
. A demonstration held outside Prime Minister Johan Sverdrup
Johan Sverdrup
Johan Sverdrup was a Norwegian politician from the Liberal Party. He was the first Prime Minister of Norway after the introduction of parliamentarism. Sverdrup was Prime Minister from 1884 to 1889.- Early years :...
's office in January 1887 gathered 5,000 protesters, largely workers and students. The Prime Minister defended his fellow Minister's actions and the confiscation, but expressed the view that he would exterminate the problems described in the novel.
Impact
The debate following the publishing and confiscation of Albertine expedited the abolition of public prostitution in NorwayProstitution in Norway
Prostitution in Norway is only illegal in that paying for sex is a crime...
.