Hans Dahl: A Break in the Haymaking (1880s)

A sunlit Norwegian art poster featuring Hans Dahl’s A Break in the Haymaking, also known as En pause i slåtten. A quiet rest during the summer harvest becomes a warm picture of rural life, traditional dress and the bright landscapes for which Dahl became known.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper, as close to you as possible. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Norwegian rural scene by Hans Dahl
• Generally dated to the 1880s
• Summer haymaking, traditional dress and radiant light
• Original painting in The National Museum, Oslo
• Printed on 200 gsm premium matte paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A pause in the summer harvest

The scene captures a brief interruption in the work of haymaking. Dahl turns an ordinary moment in the countryside into a carefully staged image of summer, rest and human presence. The upright format keeps the figure close while the surrounding vegetation and landscape establish the rural setting.

Warm colour and clear daylight give the motif an inviting character. The painting belongs to Dahl’s familiar world of western Norwegian scenery, where everyday life appears against an idealised landscape.

Hans Dahl and the sunny side of Norway

Hans Dahl repeatedly painted fjords, mountain farms and people in traditional dress. Rather than emphasising harsh weather or difficult labour, he preferred clear skies, brilliant sunlight and scenes with an anecdotal quality.

This optimistic approach made his work popular with an international audience. Dahl exhibited in Düsseldorf and at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, later living in Berlin while returning to Norway during the summers.

“Dahl most often depicts Western Norwegian nature in radiant sunshine, populated by laughing and smiling figures in folk costumes.”

From military officer to painter

Hans Dahl was born in Hardanger in 1849. After completing his military education, he served as an officer before leaving the army in 1874 to become an artist. He studied with J.F. Eckersberg and Knud Bergslien and continued his education in Karlsruhe and Düsseldorf under teachers including Hans Gude, Wilhelm Riefstahl, Eduard von Gebhardt and Wilhelm Sohn.

Dahl lived in Berlin from 1888 to 1919 and spent his summers making studies of western Norwegian nature. He later settled permanently in Balestrand beside the Sognefjord, where he died in 1937.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Warm Norwegian summer light for your home

The golden field, traditional clothing and gentle rural mood bring warmth to a living room, bedroom, hallway or reading corner. The vertical composition works especially well on narrow walls and alongside natural wood, linen and muted colours.

Discover more historic landscapes in our Norwegian art collection.

Frequently asked questions

What does the title mean?

En pause i slåtten means a break during haymaking. The scene shows a moment of rest in the summer harvest.

When was the painting created?

The painting is generally dated to the 1880s. The exact year is uncertain.

Who was Hans Dahl?

Hans Dahl was a Norwegian painter known for sunlit scenes of fjords, rural life and figures in traditional dress.

Where is the original painting?

The original belongs to The National Museum in Oslo.

What paper is the poster printed on?

It is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm quality paper with a smooth, matte and non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The frame is not included, so you can choose one that suits the print and your interior.