Prins Eugen

What primarily attracted Prince Eugen's painterly eye in Örberga were the expansive vistas, the sky with its characteristic cloud formations over lake Vättern, and the intensely blue waters of the great lake. He was also fascinated by the harvest work on the surrounding fields: grain shocks, haycocks, and harvested fields now appeared as appealing subjects. During his first summer stays at Stora Dala manor in Västergötland in 1910–11, the prince had begun to take an interest in cloud formations, expansive vistas, and grain fields, but it was in Örberga that he refined his interpretation of them.

A few years later, Prince Eugen had made up his mind—he would have his own summer residence built in the area outside Vadstena, overlooking lake Vättern and the surrounding plains. In August 1916, Örgården, as the residence came to be called, was completed. It featured a generous dwelling house with several guest rooms and a separate painting studio. The residence was very different from his winter elegant and stately home Waldemarsudde and, in his eyes, possessed a "sober simplicity, free from all ostentation" that appealed to him.

Artistically, Prince Eugen was captivated by the open landscape, the local yellow haystacks, and the varying weather conditions around Örberga. The wide plains and low horizon meant that clouds and skies became particularly prominent and possible to both study and interpret artistically. The summers were filled with work but also with cheerful socialising with visiting relatives and friends.