ticketsMember | Make a donation

Northern Lights

Peder Balke Norwegian
1870s
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are one of nature’s most magnificent phenomena. They occur when charged particles from the sun pass through Earth’s atmosphere, which becomes increasingly common at higher latitudes. To produce this striking image, Balke first applied a thin layer of paint for the sky and then a thicker one for the water. Subsequently, he removed paint with a serrated device to reveal the white ground layer, producing the effects of the lights. Finally, he added details such as the coastline and boats with a brush.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Northern Lights
  • Artist: Peder Balke (Norwegian, Helgøya, Nes 1804–1887 Oslo (Kristiania))
  • Date: 1870s
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: 3 15/16 × 4 3/4 in. (10 × 12 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Hearn Family Trust
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings