L. Dietrichson, “Adolph Tidemand hans Liv og hans Værker”, Christiania 1878, no. 543: “Sognebud I (Nadverens Uddeling i en Bondestue) Hardanger. Udført i Düsseldorf. Udkast 15de Juni 1857, undermalet 25nde Jan-21de Febr., færdigt i August. Kjöbt af Mr. Carneggi, London”. (Sognebud I. The Holy Communion is distributed in a rustic Norwegian hut in Hardanger. Painted in Düsseldorf. Draft 15th of June 1857, underpainted 25th-21 of February, finished in August. Bought by mr. Carneggi in London).

L. Dietr. no. 532: Began a cartoon for the painting 15th December 1849 - Signed DDF 16th January 1860.

L. Dietr. no. 533–41: Nine studies and drafts for the painting.

In 1860 Tidemand sold the painting for the highest price until then for one of his paintings. It was sold for 6800 KR to mr. Carneggi in London. After that Tidemand was invited to exhibit at the World Fair in London 1862 with 4 paintings. Later two paintings were accepted at The Royal Academy in London.

Provenance: Bought at an English manor house in 1977. Danish private collection.

The first of 4 paintings and 2 sketches from the series “Nadveren” with 3 different motifs. The others with the numbers 549, 550, 552, 560 og 573 in the L. Dietrichson catalogue.

In the centre of the painting is seen an old man, his wife and the vicar. The light from the hatch is illuminating the principal characters. They are surrounded by the family of the old man. The situation is critical in the carpenter's characteristic Norwegian living room with a table laid with a white tablecloth and two candlesticks, a substitute for an altar. A very solemn attmosphere in the room is emphasized by the half bow created by the light.