Approximately one third of the University of Oslo's art collection consists of portraits, each telling its own little part of the university’s history.
Scientific pioneers and the university’s rectors are honored by renowned Norwegian artists such as Adolph Tidemand, Christian Krohg, Erik Werenskiold, Asta Nørregaard and Haakon Gullvåg.
Historical figures
Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1828)
Few mathematicians have contributed as many new ideas and theories to mathematics as Nils Henrik Abel. He was an acting docent in astronomy at the University of Oslo in 1828 and 1829.
Artist: Knud Larsen Bergslien
Date: 1875
Gerhard Gran (1856–1925)
Gerhard Gran was a professor of Nordic literature at the University of Oslo and contributed to the development of literary studies at the university. He was painted by his good friend Christian Krohg, a notable figure in Norway in the late 1800s.
Artist: Christian Krohg
Date: 1884
Cecilie Thoresen
Cecilie Thoresen became Norway's first ever female student after women were allowed to apply for higher education in 1882. She studied science at UiO.
Artist: Kari Rolfsen
Date: 1982
Kristine Bonnevie (1872–1948)
Kristine Bonnevie was appointed professor of zoology in 1912, thus becoming Norway's first female professor. She was known as a warm, wise and friendly woman – a skilled researcher but also a good friend to the students.
Artist: Agnes Hiorth
Date: 1940
Ellen Gleditsch (1879–1968)
Ellen Gleditsch was a professor of inorganic chemistry from 1929 to 1946 and Norway's second female professor. She is additionally known as an outstanding international leader for female academics.
Artist: Reidar Aulie
Date: 1949
Helga Eng (1875–1966)
Helga Kristine Eng was the first in Norway to earn a doctorate in a psychological subject. She played a central role in the establishment of pedagogy in this country.
Artist: Agnes Hiorth
Date: 1959
Victor Moritz Goldschmidt (1888–1947)
"Father of geochemistry" Victor Moritz Goldschmidt earned his doctorate as early as 1911, initiating an international academic career with professorships both in Norway and Germany.
Artist: Asta Nørregaard
Date: 1903
Sjur Brækhus (1918–2009)
Sjur Brækhus was a professor of law and the founder of the Nordic Institute of Maritime Law. He is well-known for his extensive production of books and articles, and he was passionate about the written word and a member of the Norwegian Language Council.
Artist: Gøsta Munsterhjelm
Date: Unknown
Viggo Hagstrøm (1954–2013)
Viggo Hagstrøm was employed at the Department of Private Law from 1977 to 2013. He had a significant impact on legal science in general, and on the department in particular.
Artist: Kjell Torriset
Date: 2022
Rector portraits
Waldemar Christopher Brøgger (1851–1940)
Professor of Geology and the university's first rector.
Artist: Christian Krohg
Date: 1924
Bredo Morgenstierne (1851–1930)
Professor of Law and Rector from 1912 to 1918.
Artist: August Eiebakke
Date: 1920
Axel Holst (1860–1931)
Professor of Medicine and Rector from 1919 to 1921.
Artist: Kristofer Sinding–Larsen
Date: Unknown, purchased in 1926
Fredrik Stang (1867–1941)
Professor of Law and rector from 1921 to 1927.
Artist: Henrik Lund
Date: 1931
Sem Sæland (1874–1940)
Professor of Physics and Rector from 1928 to 1936.
Artist: Kristofer Sinding-Larsen
Date: 1934
Didrik Arup Seip (1884–1963)
Professor of North Germanic languages and rector from1937 to 1945.
Artist: Hugo Lous Mohr
Date: 1948
Otto Lous Mohr (1886–1967)
Professor of Medicine and Rector from 1946 to 1951.
Artist: Hugo Lous Mohr
Date: 1951
Frede Castberg (1893–1977)
Professor of Law and Rector from 1952 to 1957
Artist: Agnes Hiort
Date: 1959
Johan Tidemand Ruud (1903–1970)
Professor of Marine biology and Rector from 1958 to 1963.
Artist: Jean Heiberg
Date: 1967
Hans Vogt (1903–1986)
Professor of Romance Philology and Rector from 1964 to 1969
Artist: Alf Rolfsen
Date: 1967
Johannes Bratt Andenæs (1912–2003)
Professor of Law and Rector from 1970 to 1972
Artist: Odd Nerdrum
Date: Unknown
Otto Bastiansen (1918–1995)
Professor of Chemistry and Rector from 1973 to 1976
Artist: Håkon Stenstadvold
Date: 1977
Bjarne A. Waaler (1925–2007)
Professor of Medicine and Rector from 1977 to 1984
Artist: Else Hagen
Date: 1984
Inge Lønning (1938–2013)
Professor of Theology and Rector from 1985 to 1992
Artist: Arvid Pettersen
Date: 1993
Lucy Smith (1934–2013)
Professor of Law and Rector from 1993 to 1998.
Artist: Håkon Gullvåg
Date: 1999
Kaare R. Norum (1932– 2019)
Professor of Nutrition and Rector from 1999 to 2001
Artist: Svein Strand
Date: 2003
Arild Underdal (1946–2025)
Professor of Political Science and Rector from 2002 to 2005
Artist: Even Richardson
Date: 2006
Geir Ellingsrud (1948–)
Professor of Mathematics and Rector from 2006 to 2009
Artist: Svein Bolling
Date: 2009
Ole Petter Ottersen
Professor of Medicine and Rector from 2009 to 2017
Artist: Vebjørn Sand
Date: 2017
Svein Stølen (1960–)
Professor of Chemistry and rector from 2018 to 2025.
Artist: Erik A. Frandsen
Date: 2025
More from the University of Oslo's art collection