From mountains to coast

The Norwegian Royal Yacht Norge arrived in Rosendal on Thursday, and Queen Margrethe and Queen Sonja took the tender to the small boat harbour in the afternoon. Both the Norwegian and Danish flags were flown on the pier as a symbol of greeting, and the queens were then transported by horse and carriage to the Barony. A fanfare written by Sebastian Lamberg Torjusen was performed to welcome the two queens to the manor and the official opening of the exhibition entitled “From mountains to coast”.

Inspired by nature

Queen Margrethe and Queen Sonja are each artists with a unique form of expression, explains Ole Petter Ottersen in the exhibition catalogue. Both are inspired by nature, and this is reflected in the exhibition – which contains several new works. For over 200 years, Hardanger has been a popular destination for artists and intellectuals. The natural surroundings of Rosendal have provided the inspiration for some of Norway’s greatest works of arts – paintings, symphonies and poetry. 

The opening

Ole Petter Ottersen, the rector of the University of Oslo and chair of Rosendal’s Anniversary Committee, held the opening speech. Minister of Culture Thorild Widvey made some opening remarks as well, before Gunnar Danbolt and Elisabeth von Buchwald gave an orientation about the artwork. This was followed by a guided tour of the exhibition.

The exhibition may be viewed at Baroniet Rosendal from 12 June to 6 September 2015. The curators are Ole Larsen and Elisabeth von Buchwald.

Queen Sonja has previously had an exhibition at the manor. In 2012, she displayed her artwork in the collaborative project entitled “Three journeys – three landscapes” together with Kjell Nupen and Ørnulf Opdahl.

A jubilee concert was performed in the Red Room in the afternoon. The audience heard Henning Kraggerud on violin, Lars Anders Tomter on viola, Audun Sandvik on cello, and Leif Ove Andsnes on piano.

The Barony Rosendal

In 1658, Norway’s wealthiest heiress, Karen Mowat, married the Danish nobleman Ludvig Rosenkrantz. They built their home on the old, aristocratic farm known as Hatteberg in 1660–1665, and called it Rosendal. In 1678, King Christian V of Denmark-Norway gave the estate status as a barony – the only one in Norway.

Today, Baroniet Rosendal is a thriving cultural centre and one of Western Norway’s major tourist destinations. The manor is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year.

The University of Oslo is responsible for stewardship of the building, garden and park, as well as the surrounding cultural landscape through the Weis-Rosenkroneske Foundation.