Arne Kavli
Arne Kavli (1878-1970), also known as Arne Texnes Kavli, was a Norwegian painter and printmaker born in Bergen. His work ranges from dark landscapes and figure paintings to bright scenes of summer, sea and gardens. He died in Oslo.
From Jæren to summer on the coast
Kavli exhibited in Bergen in 1895 and debuted at Høstutstillingen in 1896. He studied in Antwerp and Copenhagen. His 1899 breakthrough featured simplified landscapes and figures in muted colours, often from Jæren. His earliest landscape studies also used naturalistic, impressionistic handling and should not automatically be called Neo-Romantic.
French influences later encouraged freer brushwork and brighter colours. From the early 1930s, the house and garden at Rønnes near Grimstad became principal subjects. His wife Drude often modelled. Kavli's last solo show at Kunstnerforbundet took place in 1968, aged 90.
Kunstnernes Hus presented a substantial exhibition in 1948. Its contemporary catalogue discusses both dark Jæren paintings and colourful summer scenes near Grimstad, a useful reminder that his career cannot be reduced to one uniform style.
Documented paintings and prints
- Jær-kone (1899): oil on canvas, 131 x 96 cm, bought from the artist by the National Gallery in 1908. It now belongs to the National Museum.
- Ung dame (1910): oil on canvas, 63 x 48.5 cm, in the National Museum.
- Sommerinteriør: oil on canvas, 75.5 x 67 cm. The museum dates it “probably 1933”; that uncertainty must be retained.
- Statsråd Olssøn: drypoint on paper. The museum dates the plate to 1905. This does not automatically date every impression.
Kavli also made etchings and lithographs. A picture on paper may be an original print or a later reproduction of a painting. Technique, paper, any plate mark and a known publisher should be considered together.
Signatures and provenance
Auction records document different name forms. Kvinne ved bord (1909) bears “Arne Kavli 09”, while I havnen (1913) bears “A. Kavli” and a date. The latter also has the artist's name and title on its stretcher. These are comparisons, not guarantees for other paintings.
For oils, document the canvas reverse, stretcher, labels and repairs. Distinguish overpainting and flaking from the artist's loose brushwork. For prints, show the entire sheet and margins so signatures and inscriptions remain legible. Support earlier ownership with receipts, catalogues or other written records.
Read more about artist signatures, provenance and ownership history.
Browse art in our online shop.
Contact OBA about selling and assessment (Norwegian page).
Sources
- Norsk kunstnerleksikon: debut, development and prints
- Norsk biografisk leksikon: Rønnes, Drude and later years
- Store norske leksikon: biography and techniques
- MUNCH digital archive: full name
- Kunstnernes Hus: 1948 exhibition
- National Museum: Jær-kone
- National Museum: Ung dame
- National Museum: Sommerinteriør
- National Museum: plate dating and drypoint
- Grev Wedels Plass Auksjoner: 1909 signature
- Grev Wedels Plass Auksjoner: 1913 signature and reverse
