Terje Vigen - Inspiration

Inspiration

In Grimstad Ibsen was inspired by the stories of the Norse pilots. He became a close friend to one of the oldest and most experienced pilots, who had lived a remarkable life and had exciting stories to tell the young writer. His name was Svend Hanssen Haaø, from the Haaø Island (Håøya). The story of his life is often thought to be an important source for Ibsen when he wrote his famous poem Terje Vigen.

Svend Hanssen Haaø's life contains many of the essential elements of the story of Terje Vigen. Haaø made several trips by rowboat to Denmark through the English blockade, in the years 1807-14, to smuggle food back to his family and friends in Grimstad. The Englishmen captured him as much as four times, and some of his crew were put to prison in England as in the poem. It is well documented that Henrik Ibsen and Svend Hanssen Haaø became close friends. They made a lot of visits to each other, both at Svend’s house at the Haaø Island, and in Ibsen’s department at Grimstad Pharmacy.

Henrik Ibsen never revealed if he had a model when he wrote the story of Terje Vigen, however the most important specialists on Henrik Ibsen’s life in Grimstad, were convinced that Ibsen’s friendship with Svend and Svend’s remarkable life as a pilot at the coast was the most important inspiration for Ibsen.

Ibsen painted Svend sitting at Haaø Island The painting is called The Pilot from Haaø Island. This painting is placed in Ibsenhuset (The Ibsen House) in Grimstad, and is owned by Grimstad Museum.