The Backer sisters
Ada Madssen (1917 - 2009) was a sculptor who made the monument «Søstrene Backer». The monument can be found in the park by the harbor in Holmestrand center, outside Holmestrand library.
The Backer sisters, Harriet and Agathe, were the daughters of consul, shipowner and businessman Nils Backer (1815 - 1877) and Sofie Smith Petersen (1819 - 1882).
Harriet Backer was born on 21 January 1845 in Holmestrand and died on 25 March 1932 in Oslo. She was one of the foremost painters of her generation. Harriet had a painting school where she trained new artists, and she was recognized as a great artist in Norway from the 1880s.
Harriet has been given a place in the new national art museum, and is regarded as one of the most important artists of her time. She is best known for "blått interiør (blue interior)", which shows the play of sunlight in the interior.
Agathe Backer Grøndahl was born in 1847 in Holmestrand and died in 1907 in Kristiania. Agathe was a world-class pianist and Norway's first important female composer, and had a central role in Norway's musical life where she was particularly known for her romances. Agathe was also a personal friend of Edvard Grieg - and performed three times as a soloist with Grieg himself as conductor.
Source: Visit Vestfold
The Backer sisters