Note from Michael Boucher:

Born in Stavanger, Norway, November 20, 1876, Lars Thorsen, at age twelve shipped under his father's direction in a little Icelandic steamer. They traveled four times around Cape Horn before he was 20.

During his life time, he was a Mess-boy, sail-maker, rigger, Grand Banks fisherman and painting Master. He was a self-taught artist, who began to paint at sea. In his work, his rich personal experience was recalled with no romantic imaginings; it is factual.
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The following is from an anonymous Source:

I have a newspaper article dated May 23, 1984 from the COMPASS published in Mystic, CT.. They show a painting by Lars called North Dock and give the further information:

Lars Thorsen was a member of the Mystic Art Colony which (along with the Lyme colony and others along the CT shoreline) flourished from about 1898 on. Charles Davis started the movement to this seaside town (Mystic and Noank). Henry Ward Ranger was another Mystic painter. The Society of Mystic Painters was formed in 1914. By 1930 the Mystic Colony had attracted national attention. Thorsen's paintings are now displayed at the Mystic Art Association Gallery, along with those of Reynolds Beal, G. Albert Thompson, Yngve Soderberg, Davis and Ranger.

I own one sketch of Thorsen called "Dropping the Dories."

Born in Norway in 1877. Resident of New London, Connecticut in 1930. Exhibited: Stendahl Gallery (Los Angeles), 1931.