Composer, musician and artist – like a Renaissance man, Gösta Nystroem moved between different fields. He grew up in an intellectual home and was introduced to visual art and music by his father from an early age. After spending a couple of years at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm in 1913–14, Nystroem devoted himself to music and art studies, as well as painting, in Copenhagen from 1916 to 1920 and subsequently in Paris from 1920 to 1932. As a visual artist, he was self-taught, but was strongly influenced by contemporary artists and composers such as Matisse and Debussy. During his years in Paris, Nystroem socialised extensively with, and was influenced by, among others GAN, Isaac Grünewald, Nils Dardel, Eric Grate and Sigrid Hjertén.

Following exhibitions in Copenhagen, Odense and Stockholm, Nystroem increasingly turned to music as his principal means of artistic expression during the 1920s. His artistic output is therefore very limited, and few paintings come onto the market. This auction presents a remarkable painting created during Nystroem’s years in Copenhagen. The artist is situated among the spectators at a horse race, most likely at Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen. The Klampenborg racecourse opened on 5 June 1910, and the Derby, previously held in Dyrehaven, has been held at Klampenborg Galopbane every year since 1910.

The Danish flags flutter in the wind, and the air seems filled with anticipation. On the grass, jockeys can be seen warming up their horses, while the grandstand is lined with elegant gentlemen in tailcoats and top hats, as well as a lady in a white dress carrying a parasol. The painting was exhibited in Copenhagen in the same year it was completed. It now offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of Gösta Nystroem’s early depictions.