By the Mill Pond, Hans Gude, 1850

By the Mill Pond by Hans Gude is a Norwegian landscape painted at Næs in Hallingdal in 1850. Flowing water, dark rocks and dense woodland surround a solitary figure, creating a more intimate view of Norway than the monumental fjords and mountain scenes often associated with Gude.

Why this Hans Gude art print stands out

• An atmospheric Norwegian landscape from 1850
• Painted at Næs, now part of Nesbyen in Hallingdal
• Features a river, waterfall and quiet human presence
• The figure is identified as Betsy Juliane Charlotte Gude
• A compact work from Gude’s early career
• Original held by the National Museum in Oslo
• Printed on premium 200 gsm matte paper
• Produced using FSC-certified paper
• Available in five sizes
• Made when ordered to reduce unnecessary production
• Typical delivery: 2–5 business days
• Frame is not included

Water and woodland in Hallingdal

Water runs through the centre of the composition, gathering in the mill pond before passing between rocks and trees. Gude uses the movement of the river to guide the eye into the wooded landscape, while the small figure beside the water provides scale and a human point of focus.

The National Museum identifies the setting as Næs in Hallingdal, corresponding to present-day Nesbyen. It also identifies the figure as Betsy Juliane Charlotte Gude, whom Hans Gude married in 1850, the same year the painting was completed.

The original measures only 34 × 47.3 cm. Its compact format and unusual support give it the immediacy of a closely observed encounter with the landscape. Gude painted the work in oil on cardboard, which was later mounted on paperboard.

Gude was still in his mid-twenties, yet he had already become an influential name in Norwegian landscape painting. His early works helped establish the mountains, valleys and waterways of Norway as central subjects within Romantic Nationalism.

“Gude was the most famous and celebrated Norwegian painter of his time.”

Source: Norsk Kunstnerleksikon (translated from Norwegian).

View the original painting in the National Museum of Norway.

Explore more Norwegian art prints, or discover Gude’s monumental landscape in Bridal Procession on the Hardangerfjord.

Artwork facts

FAQ

Where did Hans Gude paint By the Mill Pond?

The National Museum records the location as Næs in Hallingdal, in present-day Nesbyen, Norway.

Who is the figure in the landscape?

The figure is identified as Betsy Juliane Charlotte Gude, whom Hans Gude married in 1850.

What material was the original painted on?

Gude painted the work in oil on cardboard. The cardboard was later mounted on paperboard.

How large is the original painting?

The original measures 34 × 47.3 cm.

Where is the original painting?

It belongs to the National Museum of Norway in Oslo, where it is registered as NG.M.00636-008.

Is the frame included?

No. The poster is supplied unframed, allowing you to select a frame that suits your interior.