On a pilgrimage to Bavaria

BY SINDRE HOVDENAKK

One of the most enjoyable publications to reach the Norwegian book shops this spring is without a shadow of a doubt the frequently autobiographical account by illustrators-in-arms Steffen Kverneland and Lars Fiske of their search for Olaf Gulbransson. It is also a chronicle from a dimly lit sliver of Norwegian art and literature history.

Olaf Gulbransson (1873-1958) is one of the last century's absolutely leading illustrators. His powerful, pithy and perceptive line influenced several generations of illustrators working within the same semi-journalistic, semi-artistic tradition.

Simplicissimus

The story of Gulbransson's life is a story of a boy from the poorer side of Norway's capital city, called at the time Kristiania, who started out as a newspaper illustrator supplying pictures, crucially, for Verdens Gang, a leading daily, and who, practically before 30, was head-hunted by Germany's then renowned and today legendary satirical periodical, Simplicissimus. In the hectic editorial group created by Albert Langen, Gulbransson grew to become one of the most celebrated and popular contemporary illustrators. He was quick to adapt to his new circumstances in Munich and Germany. In fact he was so good at adapting that he stayed on in Bavaria, taking German citizenship, until the day he died, 85 years old.

The price he paid for his affiliation with Germany was high, not least as he failed to take an active stance against the Nazi regime, preferring instead to keep his head down and say nothing during Hitler's twelve years at the helm, though he never waved the Nazi banner or proclaimed any allegiance to the movement. In post-war Norway, happy with the outcome of the war, instances like his of 'conniving with the enemy' were in any case treated harshly. It is therefore only relatively recently that Olaf Gulbransson has begun to receive his due in terms of wider recognition and a place in Norwegian cultural history.

Autobiographical

A big push in that direction was the first ever and unabridged Norwegian publication by the publishers No Comprendo of his two-volume autobiographical work Det var engang/Og så videre (Once upon a time/And then...). Here, Oluf Gulbransson the humorist excels with his comical and, it goes without saying, generously illustrated tales which range from childhood anecdotes, jovial and semi-Surrealistic - and featuring a wide array of characters in an all but folkloristic manner - to the equally enjoyable, but also sharply drawn observations of people and places he met on the road to adulthood. Writers and artists. Editors and publicans. All posed for Gulbransson's pencil.

And now it's the old boy's turn to be drawn. In a comic book due out this spring, Steffen Kverneland and Lars Fiske join forces and set off on an illustrated pilgrimage. A pilgrimage punctuated by many breaks, often including reliquification, and, not least, many inspired examples of Olaf Gulbransson's genius in particular and the mighty world of illustrations in general. They succeed throughout in maintaining their own though highly individual illustrative lines as they resourcefully and creatively balance Olaf Gulbransson and their own illustrations with the written text of the storylines.

Bjørnson

The promised land of this particular pilgrimage is Gulbransson's Bavarian country seat, Tegernsee, where he reigned as a virtual lord of the manor. Popular, but also, probably, slightly made fun of as he promenaded during the summer season in portly majesty around his garden at Schererhof, dressed in nothing more elaborate than a handkerchief for his head and the statutory cloth about his loins.

This imposing character took one of Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson's grandchildren as his third spouse, and she did what she could to manage and protect her husband's reputation for as long as she lived.

Quite how this reputation will fare in the wake of Kverneland and Fiske's inspired Odyssey remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is that the book was worth the journey.

Translated by Chris Saunders