Victor Sparre
Encyclopedia
Victor Sparre was a Norwegian painter, glass designer and non-fiction writer.
as the son of librarian Victor Alf Smith and Eli Sparre. He was married to nurse Aase Marie Thomassen from 1955.
from 1936. He became a member of the Oxford Group
. In 1938 he enrolled at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts
, and assisted Axel Revold
making decorations for the Oslo City Hall
. During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
he took part in resistance work and joined the underground art academy led by Axel Revold
and Jean Heiberg
, and later also joined the military resistance organization Milorg
.
He has decorated 25 churches, including the Stavanger Cathedral
, the Arctic Cathedral
(Tromsdalen Church), and Jeløy Church. Among his paintings are Altergang and Svøpet from 1942, Individets død from 1969, Cellistens kone from 1974, and Veronicas svededuk from 1977. He published the book Stenene skal rope in 1974, and The flame in the darkness in 1980, and participated in debates on human rights. He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 2003.
Personal life
Sparre was born in BærumBærum
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sandvika. Bærum was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. A suburb of Oslo, Bærum is located on the west coast of the city....
as the son of librarian Victor Alf Smith and Eli Sparre. He was married to nurse Aase Marie Thomassen from 1955.
Career
Sparre studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art IndustryNorwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry
The Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry was established in 1818.In 1996 the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry became part of Oslo National Academy of the Arts .-Noted alumni:-External links:*...
from 1936. He became a member of the Oxford Group
Oxford Group
The Oxford Group was a Christian movement that had a following in Europe, China, Africa, Australia, Scandinavia and America in the 1920s and 30s. It was initiated by an American Lutheran pastor, Frank Buchman, who was of Swiss descent...
. In 1938 he enrolled at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts
Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts
The Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts is a Norwegian university offering studies in the areas of specialization painting, photography / video / film, digital art, sound art, sculpture, installation, performance art, and art theory.-History:...
, and assisted Axel Revold
Axel Revold
Axel Revold was a Norwegian painter, illustrator, and art professor at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts for twenty years. He was highly decorated for his merits.-Personal life:...
making decorations for the Oslo City Hall
Oslo City Hall
Oslo City Hall houses the city council, city administration, and art studios and galleries. The construction started in 1931, but was paused by the outbreak of World War II, before the official inauguration in 1950. Its characteristic architecture, artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, held...
. During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
he took part in resistance work and joined the underground art academy led by Axel Revold
Axel Revold
Axel Revold was a Norwegian painter, illustrator, and art professor at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts for twenty years. He was highly decorated for his merits.-Personal life:...
and Jean Heiberg
Jean Heiberg
Jean Hjalmar Dahl Heiberg was a Norwegian painter, sculptor, designer and art professor.-Personal life:Heiberg was born in Kristiania to Hjalmar Heiberg and Jeanette Sofie Augusta Dahl. Both his father and grandfather were professors of medicine...
, and later also joined the military resistance organization Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
.
He has decorated 25 churches, including the Stavanger Cathedral
Stavanger Cathedral
Stavanger Cathedral is Norway's oldest cathedral. It is situated in the middle of Stavanger, and is the seat of the Diocese of Stavanger.-History:...
, the Arctic Cathedral
Arctic Cathedral
The Tromsdalen Church , which is more commonly known as The Arctic Cathedral , is a church in Tromsø, Norway, built in 1965. The church is a parish church and not, in fact, a cathedral.The church was designed by Jan Inge Hovig, and its building materials consist mainly of concrete...
(Tromsdalen Church), and Jeløy Church. Among his paintings are Altergang and Svøpet from 1942, Individets død from 1969, Cellistens kone from 1974, and Veronicas svededuk from 1977. He published the book Stenene skal rope in 1974, and The flame in the darkness in 1980, and participated in debates on human rights. He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 2003.