Lofotfisker

This portrait is based of a photograph of cod-fishermen from Lofoten, Norway. Taken in 1910 by Anders Beer Wilse. The man depicted is unknown, sadly. I saw this photograph for the first time during a lecture on Norway’s sailing culture. The image of the man on the right haunted me: such a normal looking bloke, looking non-challantly over his shoulder, while carrying this bizarre monster from the deep on it’s back. The life they led is in such hard contrast with the one we live today. I always wanted to paint his portrait, but I thought I never would be able find this image. Until, years later, I stumbled upon it in the depths of Digitalt Museum.