The Norwegian painter, Knud Bergslien (b. 1827 d. 1908) painted the famous picture Birkebeinerne, depicting two loyal soldiers carrying the young prince, Hakon Hakonsson, to safety in 1206. In 1945 Bergans paid N.Dr.5,000 for the rights to use the theme. The name “Birkebeiner” is a registered Bergans brand name. The painting was used as a brand image for a period of 50 years and was re-designed as the vignette used on Bergans products today.
