Magnus Berg (28 November 1666 – 31 March 1739) was a Norwegian-born wood carver, painter, sculptor and non-fiction writer who settled in Denmark. [1]

Magnus Berg
Portrait of Magnus Berg (unknown artist)
Born(1666-11-28)28 November 1666
Gudbrandsdal, Norway
Died31 March 1739(1739-03-31) (aged 72)
Copenhagen, Denmark
NationalityNorwegian-Danish
Known forIvory sculptures
Notable workVannets element

Early life and education

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Berg was born in Gudbrandsdal where his father worked for the Selsverket Kobberverk at Sel in Oppland county, Norway. Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve who was viceroy to (Statholder) of Norway discovered his skill as a woodcarver. As a young man, Berg was brought to Copenhagen. In 1690–94, the king apprenticed him to the court painter Peder Andersen Normand at Frederiksborg Castle. As an artist paid by the king, he had to make a four-year study trip to Italy and Paris. In 1703 he was appointed art teacher for the Danish Royal family in Copenhagen. [2] [3]

 
Ecce Homo. Ivory relief by Magnus Berg, possibly from 1721

Berg was most noted for carving miniature reliefs in ivory. Most were acquired by the Danish royal family. Among his 42 works located at the Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen is the vase Vannets element. He is also represented at the National Gallery of Norway and in museums in Hamburg, Vienna and Stockholm. A biography of Berg was published in Copenhagen in 1745.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ Rolf Ulvolden. "Magnus Berg". Lokalhistorien fra Sel kommune. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Magnus Berg". Norsk Kunstnerleksikon. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Magnus Berg". Den Store Danske. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  4. ^ Paulsen, Åshild. "Magnus Berg". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  5. ^ Paulsen, Åshild. "Magnus Berg". In Godal, Anne Marit (ed.). Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
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