A remarkable carved wood relief by Norwegian craftsman and teacher Norvald Tangseth, transforming Adolph Tidemand’s 19th-century painting into a three-dimensional work of folk art.
 
Artist: Norvald Tangseth (1914–2009), Askøy/Bergen
Title: De ensomme gamle (after Adolph Tidemand’s Husandakt, 1849)
Date: 1955 (signed and dated on front and back; reverse also inscribed with Bergen address and “300,-”)
Medium: Hand-carved wood relief
Size: ca. 47 × 33 cm (18.5 × 13 in)
Condition: Authentic vintage condition – surface scratches, scuffs, and age marks; small chip on one carved table leg (blends into scene); overall sturdy and complete with strong patina
 
Norvald Tangseth, based on Askøy outside Bergen, became known in the mid-20th century for his finely detailed carved reliefs in wood. A teacher of woodcarving in Bergen until the early 1980s, he not only created works of his own but also passed traditional skills to new generations.
 
This piece reimagines Tidemand’s famous 1849 painting Husandakt (The National Museum, Oslo) in carved timber. Tangseth translates the two-dimensional scene into depth and substance: cupboards adorned with rosemaling, stacked plates on the shelf, tiny carved book pages, and the couple’s feet beneath the table. These details make the familiar image feel almost like stepping into the painting itself.
The work is signed and dated 1955 both front and back, with an additional handwritten inscription on the reverse including a Bergen address and “300,-” — most likely its original sale price.
 
Condition is consistent with age and use: scratches, scuffs, and a small chip, but the work remains strong and richly atmospheric, with a patina that underscores its authenticity.
 
A captivating example of Tangseth’s artistry — blending Norwegian folk tradition, national romantic imagery, and masterful woodcarving into a unique cultural artifact.