Johannes Rian was born in Overhalla in Norway and studied at the National Crafts and Art Industry School and at the National Academy of Arts for Axel Revold in the late 1920s. During his study trips in Europe, he was influenced by French modernists such as Cézanne and Matisse, which is evident in Rian's early paintings. Later he switched to more non-figurative art in strong colors. Johannes Rian is represented at the National Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Oslo, the National Museum of Art in Copenhagen and at the National Museum in Stockholm.