He studied art under Danish artist Peter Rostrup Bøyesen (1882–1952) in Copenhagen from 1913 to 1916. He debuted in
Copenhagen in 1916, followed by study in
Paris from 1919 to 1920 where he was strongly influenced by
André Derain (1880–1954). After returning home, he held his first solo exhibition at Oslo in 1920. Rolfsen followed with a series of study trips to Italy during 1921–22. In 1922, he was given the task of painting the foundation wall in the exhibition hall at the new Telegraph Building at Kongens gate 21 in Oslo. The building was completed in 1924 based upon designs by architects
Arnstein Arneberg (1882–1961) and
Magnus Poulsson (1881–1958). In 1938, Rolfsen was given the task of decorating three of the walls in the Central Hall of the Oslo City Hall (), the site at which the annual
Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies have been held since 1990. The northern wall is covered by the painting titled . On the eastern wall is the work , about long, with motifs from the
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany during
World War II. The painting on the western wall is titled in recognition of Oslo's patron saint,
Hallvard Vebjørnsson. The decorations of the City Hall were finished and uncovered in 1950. Rolfsen is best known for his fresco paintings. His principal works include the decoration of crematorium at
Vestre gravlund in Oslo from 1932 to 1937 and the Haugesund City Hall from 1952 to 1954. He also decorated a number of churches including
Stiklestad Church in
Verdal Municipality from 1929 to 1930 and
Ullensaker Church in
Akershus county from 1958. He is represented at the
National Gallery of Norway in Oslo with several oil paintings including from 1926, from 1931 and from 1932. Among Rolfsen's book illustrations are an edition of
Asbjørnsen and Moe's fairy tales and later editions of his father's readers. He also wrote books and articles on art and artists. Rolfsen was decorated Knight of the Swedish
Order of the Polar Star in 1937 and Commander of the
Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1955. He received the
Prince Eugen Medal in 1951. During 1971, he received both the
Arts Council Norway Honorary Award () and the
St. Hallvard Medal (). ==References==