Ole Nilsen Weierholt

Ole Nilsen Weierholt (December 29, 1718 – December 14, 1792)[1] was a wood carver, primarily known as a pattern maker for ironworks in Nedenes county, Norway,[2] especially for the Næs Ironworks.[1] He created wooden patterns in the Rococo style for cast-iron stoves, and has been referred to as the "Rococo Master of Southern Norway" (Norwegian: Sørlandets rokokkomester).[3][4]

Weierholt was born in Sagene in Austre Moland, today part of the municipality of Arendal. He worked as a carpenter and wood carver, and he was involved in a large number of construction jobs for the district's churches in the mid-1700s, including Austre Moland Church[5] and Tromøy Church.[6]

Weierholt created many casting patterns for the Næs Ironworks; he is especially known for the pattern "the chamberlain from Ethiopia" (Kammersvenden av Morland),[1] which he copied from an older model. The theme is based on the story of "Philip and the Ethiopian" (Acts 8:26–39), and it was also used in Rembrandt's painting The Baptism of the Eunuch.[7]

Weierholt also created oven patterns for the Froland Ironworks[1] and for the ironworks in Lower Telemark.

References

1. Norsk biografisk leksikon: Ole Nilsen Weierholt
2. Coldevin, Axel. 1963. Vårt folks historie, vol. 5: Enevoldstiden. Oslo: Aschehoug, p. 390.
3. "Christensen, Sølvi Haraldstad. 2010. Månedens kulturminne desember 2010: Tromøy kirke. Arendal municipal website (December 15)". Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
4. Nenseter, Bjarne Karsten. 2010. Risør kirke. p. 7.
5. Norske kirkebygg: Austre Moland kirke.
6. Norske kirkebygg: Tromøy kirke.
7. Perlove, Shelley, & Larry Silver. 2009. Rembrandt's Faith: Church and Temple in the Dutch Golden Age. University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University, p. 239.

Further reading

• Nygård-Nilsen, Arne. 1944. Norsk jernskulptur, vols. 1 and 2. Oslo: Cappelen.

External links

• DigitaltMuseum: Various works by Ole Nilsen Weierholt