About

The valley of Smørklepp in Vinje made a lasting impression on the famous Norwegian artist Henrik Sørensen, and a large collection of his paintings is exhibited at Vinje Gallery situated in this impressive landscape. The gallery from 1991 is a distinctive building constructed by local rock.

Harald Kihle is another artist on display in the gallery. Sørensen and Kihle both worked and lived in the valley of Smørklepp.

The painter Henrik Sørensen (1882 – 1962)
Henrik Sørensen’s work of art include lyrical female portrayals, religious paintings and expressionist depictions of war, but most of all he is known for his evocative depictions of the Telemark nature. He was a student of Matisse in the period 1908 to 1910.

Henrik Sørensen made several public decorations: Ullevål Hospital (Oslo), Linköping Cathedral (Sweden), in Geneva and the Oslo Town Hall.

The painter Harald Kihle (1905-1997)
The artist Harald Kihle has meant a lot to people in the upper parts of Telemark. Through his depictions of life and nature he has shown us «The hidden Telemark», and has taught many to appreciate art.

He is best known for using the horse in his pictures, but also for portraying several well known characters from legends and stories from Telemark, such as Guro Heddel, Myllarguten and Torbjørg Ripilen.

The museum is open in the summer season.

For off-season group guiding, contact West-Telemark Museum: [email protected].