The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-07
GENUS OF HAUKANESS
CONCEDED BY CRITICS
Famous Norwegian Painter Inspired to DO His
Best Work by the Nutu,uI Beauty of
.>: Wisc0nSiu's Capitol

opoc1dA 70 4Ao JOurHaA'
Madison, Wis, Jan. The coming
portant event in it's history, for it
means new prestige and fame. Not long
ago there. came to Madison a rare, un-
mistakab1e genius, who is likely to ac-
quire worldwide fame. It IS Lars
Haukaness, the foremost Norwegian
artist in America, whose paintings
have. been highly praised by some Of
the leading art critics Of Europe and
been accepted by the Paris salon. y.
SO many artists, has been marked by
severe struggles and hardships, but the
genius within him has given him the
courage to keep up the fight for fame
and fortune. At school his propensity
for drawing got him into frequent
scrapes with his teachers. The first
sketch he ever made was of an old ped
agogue, who, like Ichabod Crane, was
over fond Of the rod and the ruler. The
young artist drew a cartoon of the
learned man on his slate, so lifelike
and humorous that little Jens, who sat
beside him, gave vent to loud explo'
sive laughter. 10y 49,.
"That is Lars work!'' shouted the
Infatuated teacher. "What did he do,
J !,n Tel +R me, or I'll give you
! He-he-ne maze picture OF you
on his slate.'
"Aha, let me see it, you rascal!''
But the picture had disappeared I'M
der the artist s trembling fingers, and
the pedagOgue, burying his hands in
the bushy locks of the budding genius,
gave him pull well remembered still.
Fortunate in His Birthplace.
Lars Haukaness was born in Hard
anger, Norway, in 1865. His father
owned small estate on the shores Of
bay. The artist, was most, fortunate
in his birthplace. A more beautiful,
more inspiring scene than that which
greeted his eyes, when he first began to
look about him, is scarcely to be found
anywhere. The beauty Of Hardanger
has inspired poets Of Norway to pro-
duce some of the finest lyrics in liter
allure, and tourists have spread the
fame Of that region to all parts of the
civilized world. ~- 49,
The soul Of the young artist was
moved by the wonderful scenery about
him, and he became an ardent lover of
nature and things beautiful. His ar
tistic instincts daily took new life, and
he was filled with desire to reproduce
on canvas the beautiful things he saw.
He soon took rank in the community
as local celebrity budding genius
and it was the general opinion :. that
he should be g iven proper. art train:
ing. An uncle, Thrond .Haukaness
writer, was particularly insistent that
| the boy should have chance to develop
his talents.
Student of Bergslien.
So, at the age Of 10, Lars proceeded
, to the capital, Christiania, where he be
gan to study under the direction Of
school for artists and was himself 6
| painter of great reputation. : Later hi
Z entered the Royal Academy of art il
} Christiania, where .heshad as instructor
: Erick Werenskjold and Christian
: Krogh, both famous artists. He ais,
loved at this time the friendly criti
cism and suggestions of Fritz THAI
: low, now regarded as one Of he1world
: greatest landscape painters. Thauloy
recognized in Haukaness the promis
of great artist and !, encouraged hin
Owing to q financial disaster a
home, the young genius was obliged t
depend upon himself for means to cor
tinue his studies. He made rapi
progress and executed all kinds o
paintings. In 1885, when only 20, h
obtaineda stipend for one year from tn
government of Norway, on the strengt
Of striking portrait of his paterna
grandfather. To be recognized by tn
Government in this manner, No,
wegian artist or poet must show geniu
of the highest order.
Comes to America.
Ten years ago Mr.. Haukaness came
America, locating in Chicago. He b.