Harriet Backer - Farm Interior from Rochefort-en-terre, Brittany - NG.M.03328 - National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design

Harriet Backer (1845-1932) was a Norwegian painter known for her realistic and sensitive depictions of everyday life. She was born in Holmestrand, Norway, and studied at the Royal Drawing School in Christiania (now Oslo) before travelling to Munich to continue her studies. Backer's early work was influenced by the Munich School of Realism, which emphasised the accurate depiction of light and colour. She often painted interiors and still lifes, using muted colours and soft lighting to create a sense of intimacy and tranquillity. Later in her career, Backer turned to landscape painting, producing works that captured the rugged beauty of the Norwegian countryside. She also painted portraits and genre scenes, depicting ordinary people engaged in everyday activities such as reading, sewing and playing music. Backer was one of the few women artists of her time to achieve critical and commercial success, exhibiting her work in Norway and abroad. Her paintings are now in collections around the world, including the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.