In the autumn of 1926, Esaias Thorén, known by the nickname Isse among his closest friends, travelled to Paris with his fellow artist Sven Jonson, where they studied drawing and figure painting under Otte Sköld. Following financial difficulties, they returned to Halmstad in the spring of 1927, bringing with them new impressions of contemporary European art movements.

Thorén’s 1927 painting of football players reflects the period’s modernist interest in the active human body and the dynamism of sport. Through stylised figures, bold outlines and contrasting fields of colour, the players’ movement, strength and concentration are emphasised. The subject can be understood in the context of the 1920s’ pursuit of new ways to portray modern man through simplified forms and an expressive visual language. Towards the end of the decade, Thorén also drew inspiration from Gösta Adrian-Nilsson (GAN), whose art was characterised by an interest in athletes, movement and physical strength. The present work offers insight into Thorén’s artistic explorations in the years leading up to the formation of the Halmstad Group in 1929.