Marichen Cornelia Martine Altenburg was the mother of playwright Henrik Ibsen and belonged to the patriciate of Skien.
Background
She is considered the model for the character Åse in Peer Gynt and Inga of Varteig in The Pretenders, and indeed, she would "echo through her son"s work in unremitting portrayals of suffering women." Henrik Ibsen himself confirmed that Åse in Peer Gynt was based on his mother. She was the daughter of wealthy ship-owner and merchant Johan Andreas Altenburg (1763–1824) and Hedevig Christine Paus (1763–1848), and belonged to the Skien patriciate. She grew up in the stately Altenburg Manor in central Skien, and her father also owned several ships, a farm and Bratsberg county"s second largest brewery.
Career
Marichen Altenburg was an avid painter and in love with the theatre. By 1833, he was the city"s 16th largest taxpayer. Knud and Marichen had six children: Johan Altenburg Ibsen (1826–1828), Henrik Johan Ibsen (born 1828), Johan Andreas Ibsen (born 1830), Hedvig Ibsen (born 1831), Nicolai Alexander Ibsen (born 1834) and Ole Paus Ibsen (born 1835).
Knud Ibsen"s heavy speculations eventually led to his downfall and financial ruin.
His mother"s suffering was formative for Henrik Ibsen. "Ibsen"s sympathy with women came from his understanding of their powerlessness, and his education began at home.
She sacrificed herself time and again. There was no bitterness or reproach in her."
Marichen Altenburg was portrayed by Kjersti Holmen in the 2006 Norsk Rikskringkasting mini series En udødelig mann.
She was portrayed by Cecilie Graasvold in Ibsensafari.