Jakob Klukstad

Who was Jakob Klukstad?

Jakob Bersveinson Klukstad was a Norwegian wood carver and painter. Klukstad had great significance for future wood carvers within the valley of Gudbrandsdalen.

Klukstad was born in Lom. He spent most of his career on the Klukstad farm in Lesja. In 1734 he married Anne Knutsdatter from Lom. Beginning in 1746 they are recorded as taking communion at the church in Lesja, where they continued for years afterwards. In 1747 Klukstad is recorded as holding a cotters farm which was attached to the larger farm Nordistugu Klukstad in Lesja. He was buried at Lesja Church, where a monument recognizing his work has been placed at his grave.

Klukstad was a self-taught artist who developed his own unique style. His main artistic contribution came at churches in Gudbrandsdalen, where he received several major commissions. Klukstad's great masterpiece is the altarpiece at Lesja Church. Klukstad's work can also be seen in churches at Skjåk and Kors.