Photo Gallery

Courtesy of Krapperup Foundation, Sweden

The above photo is of an oil painting believed to be that of Danish Admiral Sören Norby. The painting is in the portrait collection of the Krapperup Foundation, administrator of Krapperups castle located in Brunnby parish, a short distance north of Höganäs, Sweden. The painting is undated and unsigned and the circumstances of its origin are unknown. Text accompanying the painting states that the man “is said to be Sören Norby”; and, a Krapperups representative cautions that there is no proof that it is in fact Sören Norby.

Considering that Sören Norby was killed in 1530 in Florence, Italy, and considering other documented events in his life from 1526 until his death, it is believed that this painting would be dated sometime prior to 1525. Sören Norby's documented activities on behalf of three Danish kings suggest that he would have been born about 1470. This means that in 1525 he would have been about 55 years of age. The image in the painting would appear to be of a man in his 50s or 60s. In any case, if Sören Norby sat for the painting, it is unlikely that the painting would be dated after 1525. All of this is consistent, though not conclusive, that the painting is of Sören Norby.

Moreover, historical events and reports suggest that Sören Norby had a romantic and/or political relationship with Kristina Gyllenstierna, whose family possessed Krapperup castle and lands at various times from the Middle Ages. This, too, is consistent with Sören Norby being the subject of the painting.

Sören Norby's political and military activities, his relationship with Kristina Gyllenstierna, and his place in the Swanson - Othberg genealogy, are discussed under a segment of this web page entitled, "Ancestry of Pehr Bengtsson Norby."

The Gyllenstierna family converted the Krapperups estate to a foundation in 1976. More on Krapperups and the Gyellenstierna family can be seen at <http://www.krapperup.se/>.