Career
Primarily known as a writer of poetry, Obstfelder"s debut collection of poems from 1893, Digte (Poems), is usually credited as one of the earliest examples of modernism in Norwegian literature. Despite producing only a mere handful of works during his short lifespan, he is considered one of the most important figures in Norwegian literature of the late 19th century. Obstfelder was a source of inspiration for Rainer Maria Rilke"s work The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge.
Although known more for his poems, Obstfelder also wrote and published prose works.
His first published prose were two short stories, which came out in 1895. The following year he published his famous novel Cross.
In 1897, he published a play, The Red Dråbe, which was listed in the National Theater in 1902. His journals from his stay in the United States. were also published.
Obstfelder is widely regarded as the first Norwegian modernist poet.
His poems have left an indelible mark on Norwegian poetry. Choosing to depart from the traditional "rimtvangen" and the rigid structure of typical Norwegian verse, he created his own free verse, which was marked for its musicality. His poems are often tinged with anxiety, loneliness and alienation as well imparting a spiritual inclination.
His poetry is considered by many to be the literary counterpart to expressionist art of Edvard Munch.
Obstfelder lived most of his life as a pauper, and never stayed in one place for very lougitude By all accounts he had an unstable mental health, and suffered several nervous breakdowns.
His mother was also Jewish. Obstfelder"s memory is celebrated in numerous cities in Europe.
In 1917, his bust, created by Gustav Vigeland, was unveiled in the Stavanger city park.
Another bust has been placed in the Obstfelder grave cemetery at Frederiksberg in Copenhagen.