From the Inlet of Oslo (1874) is one of several works Hans Gude (1825-1903) painted of the Norwegian fjords.

The sun is partly obscured by the clouds, but enough sunlight reflects on the waves, which Gude captured with great precision. As the daylight in Scandinavia is not as bright as the landscapes in the rest of Europe, the Scandinavian landscapes have their own feel with a more muted and somber color palette.

For these paintings, Gude used some of the model ships that his brother made as a hobby. It allowed him to capture them in more detail than when he would paint them directly outside.

 Such beautiful waves. From the Inlet of Oslo (1874) is one

This painting is a national icon in Norway!

Skiing Birchlegs Crossing the Mountain with the Royal Child by Knud Berglien shows two heroic rebels saving the Norwegian Prince Haakon IV which would lead to the end of the Norwegian civil war in 1240.

 This painting is a national icon in Norway! Skiing

Idyll (1886) by Gerhard Munthe (1849-1929) shows a relaxing scene in a Nordic landscape.

It shows the artist's 17-year old fiancée, Sigrun Sandberg, next to her dog Bacchus. Later that year, the couple would marry so Munthe appropriately captured her in a white dress. They both seem to be in their own worlds, just taking a moment to reflect on the situation.

The white dress and, to a lesser extent, her dog Bacchus contrast beautifully with the greens of the Norwegian landscape. Except, for the few daisies, the nature consists of so many shades of green

 Fifty shades of green. Idyll (1886) by Gerhard Munthe

Norwegian painter Hans Gude painted this idealized Winter Afternoon in 1847 at age 22.

 Winter can be pretty! Norwegian painter Hans Gude painted

It is rare to see an artist combine beautiful portraits with stunning landscapes.

A Young Woman in the Meadow (1894) was painted by Hans Dahl (1849-1937), a Norwegian artist who specialized in landscape paintings from his native country.

He frequently captured the scenery of the western part of Norway, often in brilliant sunshine, combined with smiling people in national costumes. It is the combination of his vibrant colors and the charming young women that make his works unique.