150 Years of Swedish Art
Named after Sweden’s King Gustav II Adolf, Gustavus thrives with strong Scandinavian roots planted by our Swedish founders.
While we celebrate our Sesquicentennial by remembering the past and looking forward to the future, the history of Sweden’s rich artistic tradition is being honored.
Carl Larsson (1853–1919), Portrait of Poet Erik Axel Karlfeldt, 1918
Oil on canvas, 25 3/4 x 21 1/2 inches
© Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Bequest in 1919 by Karin Bergöö, widow of the artist, NMGrh 2381
Part of the Sesquicentennial celebration is the collaboration with museums in Stockholm, Nationalmuseum and Moderna Museet, to create a new exhibit in the Hillstrom Museum, 150 Years of Swedish Art.
“It is remarkable to have works of such high quality lent by such prominent, important international museums,” Director of Hillstrom Musuem of Art, Don Myers said.
The new exhibit contains 44 paintings, representing Sweden’s art history from around 1855 to today.
The oldest piece in the collection, as well as the opening painting, dating back to 1855, is tied especially close to Gustavus’ namesake. The painting, Death of King Gustav II Adolf at Lutzen, by Carl Wahlbom, depicts the battle where the King was killed; it shows King Gustav II Adolf falling from his horse after being wounded.
Another painting, View of Ulriksdal from the Southeast, by Edvard Bergh, painted in 1862, is an old friend to Gustavus as they are both celebrating 150 years.
August Strindberg (1849–1912), Sunset (Solnedgång), 1892
Oil on cardboard, 9 1/4 x 12 9/16 inches
© Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Purchased in 1968, NM 6168
With the historic importance and impressive pieces on display, professors are bringing students into the museum to appreciate the magnitude of what is on campus and as a learning opportunity.
“I will be bringing all of my classes,” Assistant Professor in Art and Art History, Kris Lowe said. “It offers a place to strengthen visual literacy skills.”
As people start to visit the exhibit, the reactions are what the museum had aimed for.
“I liked the various types of artwork. It was beautiful, I really love it,” Junior Scandinavian Studies and Political Science major Annalise Dobbelstein said.
The exhibit features many different artists, from Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn to Swedish artists that are less well known in America.
“I hope that visitors will not only get a sense of the rich and vital history of Swedish art by viewing the exhibit, but that they will become familiar with Swedish artists who are less known in this country,” Myers said.
150 Years of Swedish Art will be on display in Hillstrom Museum now through Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.
August Malmström (1829–1901), Dancing Fairies (Älvalek), 1866
Oil on canvas, 35 7/16 x 58 11/16 inches
© Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Bequest in 1872 of King Carl XV, NM 1223
Ernst Josephson (1851–1906)
Portrait of Stage Director Ludvig Josephson (Regissören Ludvig Josephson), 1893
Oil on canvas, 53 15/16 x 42 15/16 inches
© Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Bequest in 1970 from Grace and Philip Sandblom, NM 6352
Otto Hesselbom (1848–1913), Summer Night, Study (Sommarnattsstämning, studie), c. 1900
Oil on canvas, 21 11/16 x 36 1/4 inches
© Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Bequest in 1946 from Ferdinand and Anna Boberg, NM 4245