Over the last four years, there has been a major renovation and restoration underway at Astruptunet and its gardens. The June 2024 reopening of this important cultural and heritage spot included speeches by local and county mayors along with various educational offerings and guided tours. The event’s most notable guest in charge of the official reopening was her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, whose passion for art is well-known. 

Sean Hayford O’Leary, via Wikimedia Commons

The investment into this iconic location cost approximately 46 million NOK, which is about four million US dollars. The project was funded primarily by Norway’s largest financial services group, DNB, along with Sunnfjord Municipality contributing funds, since they own the site. The renovation included securing and restoring the aging buildings on the land, as well as rejuvenation of the garden terraces that Nikoli Astrup and his wife cultivated. 

Astruptunet was the home of one of Norway’s best-known artists, Nikolai Astrup, along with his wife, Engel, who was an artist in her own right. Located on the south side of Jølstravatnet Lake in Vestland county, the property is situated on a steep piece of land and is made up of numerous buildings and gardens. The land served as the backdrop and inspiration in many of the artist’s works and has now been restored to celebrate the couple’s life work. The gardens were a passion project for Nikolai and Engel, as they ordered over 2,400 plants from a nearby nursery, chosen for their beauty and food sustenance. The restored buildings include the farmhouses, a café where visitors can enjoy homemade waffles and coffee, and an original copy of the barn that has been turned into a gallery space. It features selections of Nikolai’s vivid paintings and his woodblocks and woodcuts. Also displayed are his wife Engel’s textile prints and her contributions to the site as its first director are highlighted. 

Nikolai Astrup died of pneumonia in January 1928 at the age of 48. He left behind his wife and their eight children as well as his artistic legacy. Thanks to the restoration of Astruptunet, both the works of Nikolai and Engel and their legacy will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. 

Sources:
H.M. Dronninga til Astruptunet for nyopning – Det norske kongehus (kongehuset.no)
Om museumstilbodet | Astruptunet (misf.no)
Nikolai Astrup – Wikipedia