Theodor Kittelsen: Forest Troll (c. 1906) | Norwegian Art Print

Theodor Kittelsen Forest Troll poster reproduces Skogtroll, one of the Norwegian artist’s most memorable visions of folklore entering the landscape. The drawing is dated by the National Museum of Norway to probably 1906 and was used as the cover illustration for P. Chr. Asbjørnsen’s Illustrerede Eventyr. Ny samling, published in 1907.

In short: a dark, atmospheric Norwegian art print for anyone drawn to Scandinavian folklore, trolls, forests and the strange border between nature and imagination.

Theodor Kittelsen Forest Troll Poster

Kittelsen’s trolls rarely feel like creatures placed on top of a landscape. They seem to grow out of it. In Forest Troll, the figure is built from the same rough shapes, shadows and textures as the surrounding forest, which makes the image feel less like a conventional fairy-tale illustration and more like a glimpse of something ancient hidden in the woods.

Theodor Kittelsen (1857–1914) became one of Norway’s defining illustrators of folk tales, legends and supernatural nature. The National Museum describes his work as closely tied to the mysterious and secretive qualities of the landscape. Kittelsen himself expressed this fascination in 1904:

“Det er det mystiske Drag i den, det stille, det hemmelighedsfulde …”

That sensibility is especially clear here. The troll is threatening, but the image remains quiet. Much of its power comes from uncertainty: where the forest ends and the creature begins is never completely obvious.

Artwork and Product Details

Available Sizes

Norwegian Folklore for a Scandinavian Interior

This Kittelsen art print works well in reading corners, studies, bedrooms and gallery walls where you want something darker and more narrative than a conventional landscape. Its muted palette also makes it easy to combine with natural wood, linen, wool and neutral wall colours.

Explore more Norwegian art prints, or pair it with Kittelsen’s Nøkken / The Water Sprite for another of his most haunting encounters between landscape and folklore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Theodor Kittelsen’s Forest Troll?

Forest Troll, or Skogtroll, is a drawing by Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen in which a troll appears almost fused with the forest around it.

When was Forest Troll created?

The National Museum of Norway dates the work to probably 1906. It was used as a cover illustration for an Asbjørnsen fairy-tale publication in 1907.

What materials did Kittelsen use for the original?

The original was made with black chalk, pencil, watercolour and gouache on paper.

Where is the original Forest Troll?

The work belongs to the National Museum of Norway.

What sizes is this poster available in?

The print is available in five sizes from 30 × 40 cm to 70 × 100 cm.

Artwork reference: National Museum of Norway.