Axel Ender

Axel Hjalmar Ender (14 September 1853, Asker - 10 September 1920, Oslo) was a Norwegian genre painter and sculptor, remembered primarily for his female figures.

He was born to a farming family and began his art studies from 1867 to 1871 with the sculptor, Julius Middelthun, at the Royal Drawing School. He later attended the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts (1872–74) and the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich (1875–80), with financial support from King Charles IV. From 1874 to 1875, he was a tutor for Erik Werenskiold, who was only two years his junior.

His largest project was the statue of Peter Tordenskjold at the Rådhusplassen in Oslo. He worked on it for ten years (1891–1901) and it earned him the Order of St. Olav. The competition for creating the statue was originally won by another sculptor, Anders Svor, but the actual work was assigned to Ender.

Many of his paintings are in the category of Romantic nationalism. He was frequently criticized for superficiality, and many of his early works were purchased by the "Christiania Kunstforening", a conservative art association run by non-artists that was later boycotted and replaced.

Altarpieces of his creation may be seen at Åsnes Church, Haug Church in Ringerike, Kampen Church, Østre Porsgrunn Church, Lunner Church and the new Molde Cathedral, where it and the cross were the only two pieces saved from the original church. He also designed Christmas cards, featuring winter activities.

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