The Backer Archive

The oldest documents date from Harriet Backer's youth, with the earliest material from 1858 and the last letter written shortly before her death in March 1932. The collection is primarily composed of correspondence—both sent and received—but also includes a number of original writings from her early years, prior to her career as a painter. Some letters contain autobiographical notes and listings of her own artworks; however, Backer did not maintain a systematic catalogue of her oeuvre. A few notebooks related to her painting school have been preserved.

Between 1874 and 1903, Backer moved frequently, and it is likely that many documents were discarded during this period. The oldest papers, particularly letters sent from abroad to close family members, were preserved by relatives. Most letters addressed to her date from the 20th century.

Letters written by Backer are located in various recipients’ archives—among them fellow artists, professional contacts, as well as her sisters and their descendants. From her final years, a number of draft letters have also been preserved.

After Backer's death, her papers were retained by the family. They do not constitute a single, unified archive but were transferred to the National Library in several installments, the largest in 1977. As of May 2025, the collection has been catalogued in detail, comprising 1,052 entries. Materials that are in the public domain have been digitized and are available through nb.no/search. The entire collection is accessible for consultation in the National Library’s Special Reading Room.