Fritz Thaulow
 Thaulow is considered one of the most important Norwegian artists, along with his one-time student Edvard Munch (1863-1944). Thaulow began his artistic career following the footsteps of his maternal grandfather Jacob Munch (no relation to Edvard Munch), who studied in Paris in the early 1800's. Thaulow initially planned to become a marine painter, studying under the Danish artist C. F. Sorensen (1818-1879). He later studied in Karlsruhe, Germany, with Norwegian Hans-Fredrik Gude (1825-1903), who probably influenced his decision to become a landscape painter.
Thaulow went to Paris in 1874 and lived and studied there between 1875 and 1879. He was influenced by French Realist painting, in particular the work of Jules Bastien-Lepage (1840-1926). Thaulow invited Monet to Norway in 1895 and the two artists painted landscapes together that summer.
Like Monet, Thaulow was an advocate for plein-air painting, or painting out of doors, and carried this method back to Norway. Although he lived abroad during many points in his career (and traveled frequently, including to the US), Thaulow resided in his natal country from 1879-1892, being recognized by critics as the foremost Norwegian artist. It was during this period that this painting was created.
Thaulow had become expert at depicting flowing water and many of his paintings were river scenes. He was a master at capturing the flickering quality of light on the water's surface. He juxtaposed smooth, mirror-like areas with grayer and choppier ones where the water surface is broken up. His use of subtle complementary colors produced an image that seems to sparkle. Thaulow painted in many different locations and his numerous river scenes both demonstrate his mastery of landscape painting and his ability to avoid being repetitive.
Although little influenced him, Thaulow's brother-in-law was French painter Paul Gaguin (1848-1903). The two artists were married to sisters Ingeborg and Mette Gad respectively, and Thaulow stood as godfatehr at the baptism for Emile Gaugun in 1875.
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