Bernhard Wilhelm VON KROGH

1880 - Yes, date unknown

• Name	Bernhard Wilhelm VON KROGH
  Birth	1880
  Gender	Male
  Death	Yes, date unknown
  Notes	Translation of obituary or letter by Theodor Dahl circa 1943. "Bernhard Krogh is dead. A rich and enthusiastic life is ended. It happened quickly and unexpected was the death message. We had just seen him walk among us, erect and quiet, between is office and his home. As he walked, he meditated, observing mankind and listening to life. With his powerful gifts for beauty and warmth, he loved life and brought to it worthy experiences in nature, art, literature and spirit, as well as enduring its discouragements and pain. He was a worshipper of everything that was created of an artistic spirit, he who himself possessed a soul for art and who had the gift to kindle life in words in the lyrical vein - words which were as golden waves in his mind. We had been friends from youth when we were both in positions in wholesale firms in the city Often we went together out into Nature and dreamed the dreams of youth. we sat together and listened to the spirit of the trees as they whispered in the light of summer evenings out by Moss Lake. In dreams we soared with the songs of the birds toward the blue heavens. We wrote poetry, that is, it was Krogh who could do that. It billowed forth from him in lyrical notes, yet correct in form and in content, giving evidence of his fine intelligence and spirit. Back of the words which seemed to come so easily, always lay thoughts, pondered and clear. In Oddmund Viks 'Stavanger News' appeared many of his writings. His poet's pen did not dry up in the inkwell; but created verse in his mind throughout his whole life. He had an innate esthetic knowledge. His was an aristocratic lineage of noble blood, that of the old Kroghs of Hogganvik. This noble inheritance gave him his prestige and his high standards of life. However, it was foreign to him to speak of his nobility or to pride himself in his particular gifts. He used to say he was the Ryfylke boy from Sandeid who came to Stavanger to work in the store of his brother, Johannes Krogh of Torget. He was 15 years of age when he first came to the city. There he was a clerk until he took a position with a grocer, K. S. Bertelsen, where he became a bookkeeper and office manager. He was able and dependable in his position. In 1909 he started his own wholesale business, which grew into a solid and reputable firm. He dealt with the city merchants as well as with the country merchants around Rogaland and was well known and liked. When we regard his personality and influence in life, it is not the businessman which comes to the fore, however, it is rather the man inside the man - the inner Bernhard Krogh. From his youth until his death an unending love for everything that was brought forth from the spirit encompassed him. His was, in truth, the Spirit of beauty. Because of this he became the bearer of culture, the worshipper of art and, not least, of the art of painting. Even as an 18 year old boy his eyes were opened to the worth of the work of Lars Hertervig. An old relative of his had bought at an auction some samples of this master's art and they gripped the young Bernhard. His instinct and artistic mind felt and understood that they were something wonderful, that it must have been a remarkable man who had painted those pictures. This interest in Hertervig, aroused so early, grew with the years. He became a confirmed Hertervig admirer, and at all times supported his art. He owned a noteworthy Hertervig collection. He was responsible for the Hertervig monument which will be erected in Stavanger. He championed the movement for this monument with zeal and fire. As associate manager of the Bertha Berg legacy, he persuaded the legatee to appropriate the means for it. As president of the Stavanger Commercial Club, he was a member of the legacy management. Krogh did a great deal for painters. By purchase of paintings, by economic assistance, by warm and friendly words he encouraged them and this bore fruit in their young artistic minds. He was very much taken up with the painter, O. Tjotta, whose life, with its many tragic moments, affected him greatly. Krogh was interested in artists as a whole, whether he knew them personally or from literature; but he had a special interest and regard for Tjotta. And I know that Tjotta admired Krogh and considered him his good and faithful friend, who did not let his right hand know what his left hand was doing. When Tjotta was about 50 years of age (shortly before his death), Krogh arranged for a large exhibit of his paintings. Krogh had early observed Tjotta's particular gift and the warmth and love with which he depicted the peasant homes of Jaeren - the primitive old Jaeren, the brown and despondent Jaeren, with its old houses so full of fantasies and colors that they became as music. In looking at these paintings, it is as if Peter Dass and Kingo sing. He did much for this remarkable Jaeren painter and was with him at his deathbed where he promised that the painting he bought from him 'Peasant Funeral', should be put in the Stavanger Art Gallery and this was done. It is self-evident that a man with Krogh's interest in art would be a member of the Art Association. He was a member for 23 years and resigned shortly before his death because of ill health. He was also a member of the building committee which erected the beautiful art building by the Madla Road. In this he was the driving power. He was also an interested and valuable member of the management of the Stavanger Museum. It can be mentioned, too, that he had a seat in the management of a stock and bond exchange. Then too, he was a sailor! The cutter and the fjords, brisk winds, sailing over the lakes and gliding around land and cape in the song of the sea - that was the life for him. He began to sail early in life. He was one of the leading pioneers in the sailing craft in Stavanger and was for many years vice-president of the Stavanger Sailing Society. Yes, he was active with his cutter, representing Stavanger in regattas, both in the north and on the east coast. That green-painted ship of his always sailed in first, for Krogh was a sailor of first rank. For many years he was Stavanger's Sailing Society's representative for the west coast in the Norwegian Society. Here, as in his other interests, there was something almost passionate. Whatever he did, he went into it fully and completely. Thus it was also with the authors he enjoyed. He worshipped them, reading them again and again. There were not many who knew Gustaf Frøding as well as he. He was wholly gripped by his writings and had visited the places in Sweden which have memorials to this great writer of tragic poetry. Plato was also one who was not allowed to rest on the bookshelf and this was the way with many. We shall not forget his many descriptions of Ryfylke, which he loved. There he could picture, with his pen, impressions and experiences of nature and mankind. Well also recall his remarkable letters from France and Italy. He was married to Selma Weidemann and four children survive. Their home is characteristic of the spirit of the life that lived there. It contains a large and valuable art collection, beautiful old furniture, and many books. Bernhard Krogh's death is a painful loss for those in Stavanger who live the life of the spirit. We should have had him among us much longer as he was not more than 63 years old. We honor his memory and evaluate his influence among us. He never exalted himself but was humble and modest as fine and rich minds usually are. He was noble, always a clear thinker, strong in his criticism of self, careful in his judgment of others. He was a nobleman in his life, and the news of his death will arouse deep sorrow among the men who enjoyed him. Light and good you will live in our memory. We shall never forget that beautiful wise look of yours which streamed from your noble soul, dear Bernhard Krogh. Theodor Dahl"
  Person ID	I8469	Valdres Slekt
  Last Modified	20 Nov 2007

  
  

  Father	Bernhard Wilhelm Gustav VON KROGH,   b. 12 Aug 1816, Sandeid, Hordaland d. 1903 (Age 86 years)
  Mother	Adrian HANSEN
  Family ID	F3630	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Selma WEIDEMANN
  Children	1. Gerd KROGH   2. Ruth KROGH + 3. Arne KROGH   4. Finn KROGH   5. Bernhard Wilhelm KROGH,   b. 1915   d. 1935 (Age 20 years)
  Family ID	F3662	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	20 Nov 2007