In 1816, Hjalmar Mörner embarked on a study trip to Rome. Here, he came into contact with the leading figures of the Scandinavian artist colony, including Johan Niclas Byström (1783-1848). "From his years in Rome, a long series of genre paintings emerged, often depicting folk festivals. However, the most significant influence on his future direction was a mural he created for his friend Byström in his villa in Rome. It is a series of carnival scenes, which he later used for his first graphic suite, 'Il Carnevale de Roma' (20 etchings published in Rome in 1820). While there may be some clumsiness, there is a precision in the drawing and an ambition in the composition that is lacking in his later works."
(Svenskt Konstnärslexikon, Vol IV, pages 174-175)