Soria Moria Castle 1900

Theodor Severin Kittelsen painted “Soria Moria Castle” at a time when Norway was seeking to define its national identity through folklore and romantic nationalism. Soria Moria Castle appears in a Norwegian folktale about a boy who undertakes a quest to find this shining castle, a symbol of dreams and unattainable beauty. Kittelsen’s work is deeply rooted in Norwegian folklore and landscapes. He often explored themes of nature, folklore, and the human condition. It is said that Kittelsen aimed to depict the soul of Norway through his art, connecting the landscape with the inner emotional world. The castle in this work shimmers atop of a mountain shrouded in fog. The warm glow of the entrance is both inviting and mysterious. Kittelsen used his art to convey a sense of longing for something better, reflecting the emotional and cultural aspirations of a nation in search of its identity. The painting captures the ethereal quality of a dream, a beacon of hope amidst the mists of reality.