Portrait of Amund Mikkelsen
Medium: Oil on canvas
Location: Main level reference area (east wall)
Mikkelsen Library Collection
About the Artist
Herbjørn Gausta (1854-1924) was born in Norway and emigrated to Harmony, Minnesota, with his family when he was thirteen years old. He attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, and subsequently went to Norway and Germany to study art. His paintings reflect both his Norwegian heritage and his American home. Throughout is lifetime he painted many portraits, including that of Amund Mikkelsen. Gausta is particularly known for his liturgical art having created around 400 alterpieces for Norwegian Lutheran churches. Later in life, he taught art and painted in his studio in Minneapolis until his death.