His work is characterized by a strong commitment to the national in different cultural expressions. The most notable example of this was " Faderen", which was shown during 1889 at the World Exhibition in Paris ("Exposition Universelle"). During the summer 1894, he traveled to Setesdal, where there were many of the old traditions still maintained in a fairly authentic setting. The next year he returned to Setesdal, and in 1896 he moved to Kristiansand. From there it was not far to Valle in Aust-Agder county, where he spent the summers.